Sun Devil football's Champ Westbrooks (psychology major) and water polo's Leila Meraz (finance) are members of the newest student-athlete cohort of the Big 12 Beyond Borders program. The two-year opportunity - first launched in 2024 - immerses student-athletes, coaches and administrators in a variety of historical and cultural experiences in the U.S. and internationally. Each Big 12 member institution selected two student-athletes to participate based on their demonstration of leadership skills and character on and off the field.
The program begins this week (July 10) in Washington, D.C., providing participants with opportunities to engage in civic leadership, explore significant historical sites and make a meaningful impact in the local community. Participants will meet with members of Congress on Capitol Hill and visit several cultural institutions, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Westbrooks played in five games in 2025 and earned first career start in the Sun Bowl and was as part of starting offensive line that put up 244 rushing yards and 619 total yards in the Sun Bowl, the most in the history of the bowl. ASU’s 244 rushing yards were its fourth-most in a bowl game since 1996 and its 6.6 yards per rush were its 24th-best in any game since 1996. Despite starting an offensive line that featured two-first time starters at tackle, a true freshman at right guard, a redshirt freshman at center and a true freshman coming into the Sun Bowl as a sixth man, ASU did not allow a sack in the contest.
Meraz will be a junior in 2026-27 as the 2026 Sun Devils delivered the program's third-best win total in history (25) and finished fifth in the final CWPA national rankings. Arizona State swept through four home tournaments without a loss, posted wins over ranked opponents including No. 7 LMU, No. 13 UC San Diego, No. 11 UC Irvine, No. 16 San Jose State, and No. 10 Indiana, and finished the year 25-6 overall.
Additionally, while in D.C., the Big 12, in partnership with the College Football Playoff Foundation, will help revitalize several spaces at a local DCPS middle school, including the creation of a community garden supported by Plots & Pans. Student athletes will also engage with students through a field day, arts and crafts activities, and an educational panel discussion.
Washington, D.C., serves as the first experience in the two-year journey that will expose participants to diverse cultures, communities and leadership opportunities across the United States and abroad.
“We created Big 12 Beyond Borders as a way to help develop our student-athletes into the global leaders of tomorrow,” said Jenn Hunter, JD, Big 12 Chief Impact and Student Services Officer. “The program utilizes history, culture, food, art, community engagement and advocacy as a way to understand our connectedness and place in this world. With the skillsets our group of student-athlete leaders possess, their opportunities are endless, and we are excited to witness the journey that this next cohort will experience.”