Matrix Fitness recognizes five recipients of its 2025/2026 Project COURAGE scholarships. The scholarships provide students and professionals representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with access to industry conferences, professional development opportunities and networking experiences designed to support careers in recreation, wellness and fitness.
Project COURAGE was established by Matrix Fitness to expand access to professional development, mentorship and career opportunities for students and professionals connected to HBCUs.
The scholarship award recipients include:
- Carmell Sanders, Sports Studies and Sports Leadership graduate student, Texas Southern University
- Chaz Mackey, Sports Administration graduate student, Delaware State University
- Jared Raysor, Kinesiology student, North Carolina A&T State University
- Wesley Davis, Assistant Director of Facilities Operations & Marketing, Delaware State University
- Zeta N. Phillips, Health Science and Sports Medicine student, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
The recipients attended industry events such as the Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference (ERSL) and the 2026 NIRSA + IDEA World Conference & Expo. Each scholarship covers expenses related to attendance at these events, including registration, travel and lodging. Through these experiences, recipients connected with industry leaders, participated in educational sessions and gained exposure to emerging trends shaping the future of campus recreation and fitness.
Students and professionals apply for the scholarship by responding to prompts related to the impact this opportunity would have on their career trajectory, and recipients are selected by the Project COURAGE Advisory Panel. Regardless of award status, every applicant is welcome to engage with the Project COURAGE network.
“Project COURAGE is about creating access and building pathways into the fitness and recreation industry,” said Rebecca Peoples, Collegiate Recreation East Region Director at Matrix Fitness. “These recipients have demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership and professional growth, and we are proud to support their continued development.”
“Through Project COURAGE, I gained the confidence, skills and direction to take my first real step into my career,” said 2024/2025 scholarship recipient Isaiah Taylor, a former North Carolina Central University student. “Attending the [NIRSA 2025] annual conference and meeting people from diverse backgrounds across the recreation community gave me the insight and inspiration to chart exactly where I wanted to go. Now, I’m proud to serve as a Sports Director for the YMCA, where I oversee all of our youth sports programming.”
Earlier this year, Matrix Fitness expanded Project COURAGE opportunities through a partnership with the American Council on Exercise (ACE), increasing access to fitness-related certifications in the Project COURAGE network.
As the program enters its fourth year, Matrix continues to expand opportunities for students and professionals pursuing careers in recreation, wellness and fitness. Since the inception of Project COURAGE in 2023, Matrix has awarded 14 scholarships to support emerging leaders in the industry. Applications for the 2026/2027 scholarship season will open in October. For more information about the Project COURAGE initiative, please visit ProjectCOURAGEbyMatrix.com.
About Matrix Fitness: Matrix Fitness (matrixfitness.com) is the fastest-growing commercial brand in the world and is the commercial brand of Johnson Health Tech. Matrix offers a complete portfolio of cardiovascular, group training and strength training equipment for health clubs and other fitness facilities.
About Johnson Health Tech: Johnson Health Tech, Inc. (JHT), Taiwan, is among the world’s largest and fastest-growing fitness equipment manufacturers and is home to some of the most respected brands in the fitness industry, including Matrix, Vision and Horizon. The company manufactures a wide assortment of fitness equipment for both commercial and residential use, including treadmills, elliptical trainers, exercise bikes and strength training equipment. JHT’s global management headquarters is based in Taichung, Taiwan, with global product development, marketing and engineering based in Cottage Grove, Wis.
