YSS Announces New Ambassadors

YSS is pleased to announce the following three Iowa State University student-athletes have been named YSS Ambassadors: Jaylin Noel, Nyamer Diew, and Tamin Lipsey.

“We are so excited for Tamin, Jaylin, and Nyamer to be joining us as YSS Ambassadors. They are not only amazing athletes, but also have incredible character and core values that align with YSS,” said Andrew Allen, YSS President & CEO.

The YSS Ambassador Program was established in spring 2022, with Gabe Kalscheur of the ISU men’s basketball team serving as the first-ever YSS Ambassador. After legislation was passed allowing student-athletes to be compensated for their name, image, and likeness (NIL), Kalscheur wanted to use his platform for good. He partnered with YSS to represent the organization and give back to his community.

During the past year, Kalscheur attended YSS events and met with youth, elevating the mission and raising awareness for important topics such as mental health and substance use. His involvement as YSS Ambassador gained widespread recognition, generated media interviews, and garnered awards, including the YSS Champion for Youth Award and an Innovation Spotlight at the Cyclone O.S.C.A.R.S. ceremony.

“I was amazed by Gabe’s impact and how much our youth looked up to him. This year, we are building on that success and expanding the program with three new YSS Ambassadors who, like Gabe, are ready to get involved and give back,” Allen said.

Nyamer Diew is a member of the ISU women’s basketball team. As a junior, she played in all 32 games this season, helping the team win the Big 12 Championship for the first time in 22 years. In 2022, she represented the Cyclones in the Red Bull USA Basketball 3X Nationals, and in 2021, she was a member of the first South Sudan Women’s Basketball National Team. Majoring in psychology and criminal justice, she was named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll two years in a row.

“I am excited to be a YSS Ambassador because of the chance to work with youth who don’t have the same opportunities as others,” Diew said. “It’s important for them to see that someone who has a platform like me still struggles and experiences hardships. I can’t wait to be part of changing and growing the community for the better.”

Tamin Lipsey is a freshman guard on the ISU men’s basketball team. A native of Ames, Lipsey was named Iowa Mr. Basketball and Gatorade Player of the Year during his senior year of high school. In his first season at ISU, he started in all 33 games and led the Cyclones in assists and steals. Lipsey was selected for the Big 12 All-Freshman team and was named a finalist for the Kyle Macy Award, which is presented to the top freshman in Division I basketball. He was also named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

“I am very excited to work with YSS! I’m looking forward to helping the community and being a role model for kids,” Lipsey said. “I am big on helping people in any way, and this is a great opportunity.”

Jaylin Noel is a wide receiver on the ISU football team. Last season, Noel had 60 receptions for 572 yards and three touchdowns, and he ranked fourth in the Big 12 with an average of 5.0 receptions per game. The year before, he recorded one of the best rookie seasons by a wide receiver in Cyclone history; his 39 receptions ranks third on ISU’s freshmen record lists. In 2022, Noel was named to the Academic All-Big 12 Second Team, the Big 12 Academic All-Rookie Team, and the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

“I joined the YSS team as an Ambassador to give back to the community and give kids a role model that they maybe haven’t had before,” Noel said. “I want to be able to create hope and encourage the youth that they can achieve anything they put their minds to.”

The YSS Ambassador program collaborates with the We Will Collective, which compensates ISU student-athletes with donated funds while helping the athletes use their NIL to benefit the community. YSS creates opportunities for Ambassadors to get involved throughout the year, allowing them to use their influence to bring awareness to the organization’s mission and support local youth and families in need.

“Working with YSS has been the perfect match for our mission of keeping the Cyclones thriving by doing great things in the central Iowa community,” said Brent Blum, executive director of the We Will Collective. “YSS does incredible work daily and we’re thrilled to see great Cyclone ambassadors paired with their great impact.”

“This program strengthens our community, expands our reach, and most importantly, creates hope and opportunity for kids,” Allen added. “We’re excited to embark on year two of this rewarding partnership.”