Honorary Captain of the Week Highlight: Liz Scott Sets the Stage for Season 3

Each week this season, we’ll be taking a deeper dive into our Honorary Captains of the Week, giving FCS Nation fans a closer look at the people leading the charge, the athletes, advocates, and leaders using their platform for impact. For Week 0, our Honorary Captain is someone who started it all: Liz Scott, Executive Director of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) and mother of Alexandra “Alex” Scott, the little girl whose front yard lemonade stand grew into a nationwide movement that has now raised more than $300 million for childhood cancer research and family support. Meet Alex 💛

Liz joins us as we kick off Season 3 of the Northwestern Mutual x FCS Nation x Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation Challenge, an annual effort where FCS athletes across the country use their leadership on and off the field to raise funds for pediatric cancer. Each season, Liz is there to start the Challenge with a call to action, inspiring fans and players alike to get involved and make a difference in the fight against childhood cancer.

Liz’s story is one of hope, courage, and legacy. You can listen to her full interview here with FCS Nation's Stone Labanowitz: https://www.fcsnationradio.com/podcast/episode/1f28108c/how-liz-scott-turned-her-childs-dream-into-a-national-movement

Her daughter Alex was diagnosed with neuroblastoma just before her first birthday and, despite the odds, declared at age 4 that she wanted to host a lemonade stand to help other children fighting cancer. With the support of her family, Alex held her first stand later that year, raising $2,000 for research at her hospital. By the time she passed away at age 8, she had raised over $1 million, leaving behind a vision that Liz and her husband, Jay, continue to fulfill today.

Under Liz’s leadership, ALSF has grown into one of the largest independent funders of pediatric cancer research in the United States, funding over 1,000 research projects and supporting more than 10,000 families nationwide. “The most rewarding part of this work is hearing from parents whose children have been affected,” Liz has said, noting the tangible impact of research funded by ALSF, from children thriving in remission to families finding support during treatment.

Through the Challenge, FCS athletes step into Alex’s legacy, using their voices, platforms, and leadership to raise awareness and funds. Liz sees this as a continuation of her daughter’s mission: empowering kids, inspiring communities, and showing that everyone can make a difference. “Every day, people are generous and committed to this cause,” Liz says. “It’s a blessing to witness the impact and to have student-athletes leading the way.”

This week, as we officially launch Season 3 of the Challenge, Liz Scott sets the tone for the season: for purpose, for hope, and for action. Fans can follow along, support their favorite players, and donate to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation at AlexsLemonade.org.

Liz Scott isn’t just our Week 0 Honorary Captain, she’s the heart behind the mission that inspires every athlete in this Challenge. 🏈