Chris Heliin from the Utah Islanders, an independent football organization, recently visited 90.9 FM KRCL’s RadioACTive program to discuss their community mission and upcoming season. Hosted by Olivia Jaramillo, the broadcast featured founder Chris Heliin, who shared the vision driving the team and its cornerstone program: the Life After Ball (LAB) initiative.
Each year across Utah, thousands of high school athletes finish their senior seasons, but only a small fraction secure spots on collegiate rosters. The Utah Islanders and the LAB initiative step in to bridge that transition, operating as a development league and structured support system. By pairing football competition with life skills, career guidance, and personal growth resources, the LAB framework ensures athletes build sustainable pathways off the gridiron. The initiative reinforces the principle that sports should serve as a springboard for long-term success rather than an endpoint.
On the field, the Islanders are preparing for a competitive slate. Following a road swing, the team returns to local turf for its home opener on September 19. The Islanders will face Air Force Academy Prep at 14787 S Academy Parkway in Herriman, Utah, marking a major milestone in the program's new season.
Through their visit to KRCL, the Utah Islanders demonstrated how grassroots athletics and community radio can collaborate to uplift local youth. Fans can support the squad this September as they work to empower the next generation of athletes both during and after their playing careers.
You can tune into the entire segment here.