Samuel Phillips (he/him) is an Award Winning LGBTQ+ Activist (Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Awars Recipient at the 2026 ESPYS) , retired All-American collegiate gymnast, and current social media Mogul and advocate, working at the intersection of sport, identity, and social impact.
A native of West Hills, California, Phillips began gymnastics at age five and quickly rose through the national ranks, becoming a Junior Olympic national champion and multi-time U.S. National Team member before competing at the NCAA level. He competed for the University of Nebraska, where he earned 6 All-America honors, a BigTen Team Title & Medal placements, and served as Team Captain, later continuing his career at the University of Illinois while earning a Masters of Science in Management in Gies College, accumulating 3 more All-America Honors and a BigTen Silver Medal.
Beyond his athletic achievements, Phillips has distinguished himself as a visible and vocal leader for inclusion in sport. As one of the few openly queer male gymnasts in NCAA competition, he has used his platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ representation and belonging, being named Outsports Top 100 Most Influential people in Sport.
He co-founded student-athlete affinity spaces (Nebraska Athlete Ally Chapter), began the Inaugural Student Athlete Formal at Nebraska, and served as president of his campus Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. His advocacy extends nationally through speaking engagements, U.S. Open Pride Brunch Athlete Ally summits, NIL Summits, and community-building initiatives on & off campus that center equity and authenticity in athletics.
Phillips holds a Masters In Sciences in Management degree from Illinois, and a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Restaurant, and Tourism Management from Nebraska, with minors in Business and Film Studies. He has been recognized as a distinguished scholar-athlete throughout his collegiate career.
Known for his creativity, expressive performance style, and commitment to representation, Phillips approaches both sport and leadership as platforms for storytelling and cultural change.
Now serving as Individual Giving Associate at Athlete Ally, Phillips brings his lived experience as an athlete-advocate to advance LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport through philanthropy and community engagement.
