Tigers Together Echoes to Curiosity: Reflections on Relationship, Presence and Becoming
2/26/2026
In January 2025, the Princeton men’s basketball team made its first visit to Christina Seix Academy (CSA) to read the book “Game Changer: John McClendon and the Secret Game.” CSA is an independent pre-K to eighth grade school for kids with single parents, located in Ewing, New Jersey that empowers students to grow “From Potential to Achievement.” Its mission is clear: to equip young people with the confidence, skills, and opportunities to succeed academically and personally while fostering leadership and self-awareness.
After the success of the trip in January 2025, it was obvious there was a special connection between the two groups. Associate Athletic Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Miles Smith Jr. collaborated with Director of Basketball Operations Chris Mongilia to create an opportunity that would be impactful for both the Princeton men’s basketball student-athletes and the CSA students.
When the team first met CSA students last January, there was an immediate, quiet spark. It wasn’t flashy; it lived in careful smiles, thoughtful questions, and the curiosity each group brought into the room. Sparks alone don’t sustain a program; consistency does. That spark returned in October, continued in January and will return again in April, as both groups gather to continue conversations, exchange letters, and share experiences. CSA students asked who these athletes were beyond the court; Princeton players asked how they could show up in ways that truly mattered. By the second session, the room felt like a reunion. Laughter came more easily, conversations picked up mid-thought, and students shared confidently about academics, athletics, and family. Princeton men’s basketball student-athletes discovered that leadership is not about dominance or the spotlight but about stewardship, listening, and presence.
The Tigers’ mentorship bring program brings these values to life. Fifteen men’s basketball student-athletes partnered with CSA students to foster curiosity, empathy, and leadership through meaningful conversations, interactive activities, and letter exchanges. Throughout the school year, students meet for sessions where they explore new experiences, reflect on goals, and engage in discussions that strengthen self-awareness and positive identity formation. After each session, students exchange letters reflecting on lessons learned, personal growth, and questions sparked by curiosity. This ongoing dialogue helps both groups build relationships, develop confidence, and embrace growth.
As the program continues into the future, the goal is that CSA students continue to grow in confidence and self-awareness, and Princeton men’s basketball student-athletes keep learning to lead with empathy and influence beyond the court. What started as a spark had evolved into a sustained echo, a partnership built on curiosity, consistency, and mutual growth.
