Dinich joins a group of esteemed leaders dedicated to advancing athlete-led advocacy for safer, stronger communities
Irving, Texas, 11.13.2025 — Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is proud to announce that Heather Dinich, senior writer for ESPN covering college football and one of the nation’s most respected sports journalists, has joined the MADD Sports Advisory Board. For 45 years, MADD has worked to save lives and support families shattered by impaired driving. The MADD Sports initiative taps into the influence of sports and athletes to strengthen communities and end impaired driving.
Dinich brings more than 20 years of experience covering the triumphs and challenges of college athletics, shaping conversations around the game, and championing the stories of athletes, coaches, and communities. Her respected voice in sports media, combined with her dedication to education and prevention, will strengthen MADD’s outreach to athletes, fans, and universities nationwide.
“We are honored to welcome Heather Dinich to the MADD Sports Advisory Board,” said Stacey Stewart, CEO of MADD. Heather’s reputation for integrity and her passion for uplifting athletes make her an invaluable addition. Her influence will help us expand our prevention and wellness initiatives within the sports community and amplify our mission to save lives.”
As a member of the Advisory Board, Dinich will collaborate with athletes, coaches, and sports organizations to promote responsibility, prevention, and mental health advocacy. Her insight as a journalist covering the pressures of collegiate sports will help MADD deepen its connection with student-athletes — a population facing unique challenges around performance, stress, and decision-making.
“I am humbled to join the MADD Sports Advisory Board and lend my voice to such an important mission,” said Heather Dinich. “The opportunity to influence conversations about responsibility, wellness, and prevention in athletics is something I take very seriously. I look forward to working with MADD to help empower athletes and communities to make safe, healthy choices.”
The MADD Sports Advisory Board works alongside athletes, sports leaders, and organizations to foster a culture of accountability and prevention. With Dinich’s addition,
MADD will continue to elevate its programs for student-athletes and strengthen its advocacy in sports communities across the nation.
About MADD Sports
MADD Sports is an initiative of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) that partners with sports organizations to engage athletes in impaired driving prevention and mental health advocacy. MADD Sports empowers student-athletes to serve as role models, utilizing their platforms to promote healthy and responsible choices and foster safer communities. Please visit www.madd.org/maddsports for more information about MADD Sports.
About MADD
Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is a national nonprofit leading the movement to end impaired driving for good. Since 1980, MADD has helped reduce drunk driving deaths in America by nearly 40%, saved more than 475,000 lives, and served more than one million victims and survivors. The organization is committed to leading prevention efforts among young adults, collaborating with law enforcement to keep roads safe from impaired drivers, and advocating for stronger laws, including the HALT Drunk Driving Law. MADD continues to provide support services to victims and survivors of impaired driving at no charge through victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP. For more information or to donate, visit https://madd.org/ and follow MADD on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
