Dexcom U's season five roster features 27 athletes with Type 1 diabetes across 13 sports, marking the program's largest roster to date.
Each athlete relies on Dexcom continuous glucose monitors like Dexcom G7 or Dexcom G7 15 Day to manage their diabetes.
New research shows young adults with Type 1 diabetes are sticking with sports longer and feeling less isolated than they did since the launch of Dexcom U in 2022.
First-of-its-kind NIL program features 27 athletes with Type 1 diabetes across 13 sports, marking the program's largest roster to date
Dexcom will host "Dexcom U Days" this fall to drive meaningful community and mentorship between college and young athletes with diabetes
New research shows young adults with Type 1 diabetes are sticking with sports longer and feeling less isolated than they did since the launch of Dexcom U in 20221
SAN DIEGO, October 06, 2026--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DEXCOM, INC. (NASDAQ: DXCM), the global leader in glucose biosensing, announced today the launch of the fifth season of Dexcom U, the company's one-of-a-kind NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) program exclusively for college athletes with diabetes.
Now in its fifth year, this marks the program's largest and most expansive roster to date, featuring 27 college athletes, 12 new and 15 returning, across 13 sports. The expansion is backed by new research showing that programs like Dexcom U have the potential to improve confidence, reduce stigma and barriers to athletic participation, and empower young athletes with diabetes to pursue their ambitions without limits.1 Dexcom U athletes receive access to exclusive events and mentorship from elite athletes including Mason Miller (San Diego Padres), Mark Andrews (Baltimore Ravens), Adonai Mitchell (New York Jets), Josh Gesky (Green Bay Packers), and Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders)—and a supportive network of peers who champion each other on and off the field.
Each athlete relies on Dexcom continuous glucose monitors like Dexcom G7 or Dexcom G7 15 Day to manage their diabetes with real-time data delivered to their smartphone or smartwatch*, empowering them to better manage their diabetes while competing and breaking new barriers in sports and in life. The 2026-2027 Dexcom U roster includes the following athletes:
New athletes:
Aliya Gricius, Hockey, University of Wisconsin-Superior
Austin Howard, Football, Vanderbilt University
Cooper Farrall, Basketball, Bentley University
Drew Kleinheider, Baseball, Saint Louis University
Eli Baker, Baseball, Wabash Valley College
Jenica Lewis, Basketball, University of Notre Dame
John Neider, Football, West Virginia University
Katy Foley, Volleyball, California Polytechnic State University
Kylie Flaherty, Softball, Manhattan University
Maxim Speed, Soccer, Saint Mary's College
Paisley Eason, Golf, Oklahoma Baptist University
Rachel Thompson, Tennis, Columbia College (S.C.)
Returning athletes:
Anya Tribune, Soccer, Gardner-Webb University
Ari Long, Basketball, University of Oregon
Ben Mirisch, Water Polo, University of Southern California
Clarke Byram, Track and Field, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Isaac Traudt, Basketball, Creighton University
Jackson Montgomery, Baseball, Coppin State University
Kya Epps, Track and Field, University of Cincinnati
Madison Moraja, Track and Field, North Carolina State University
Miles Byrd, Basketball, Providence College
Nadia Nemeth, Field Hockey, Northwestern University
Niamh Pfaff, Lacrosse, Yale University
Nikola Parichkov, Tennis, Elon University
Patrick Heneghan, Football, Denison University
Raegan Lantz, Volleyball, Miami (Ohio) University
Shelomi Sanders, Basketball, Colorado State University Pueblo
A diabetes diagnosis can be a life-changing moment for young athletes, often bringing fear and uncertainty about whether their athletic dreams are still possible. In those early days, many look to role models living with Type 1 diabetes for inspiration. Dexcom U athletes started their journeys in that same place, wondering if a diagnosis meant the end of their athletic dreams. Today they are competing at the collegiate level and using their platforms to send a clear message to the next generation: diabetes does not have to stand in the way of pursuing your dreams.
"Football has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, so when I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when I was 15, it forced me to reimagine how I train and fuel my body. With the support of my coaches, I was able to come back stronger than ever," said Austin Howard, Vanderbilt University football player and first-year Dexcom U athlete. "I'm excited to join Dexcom U and be part of a community that understands the challenges of being a student athlete with diabetes and are determined not to let it stop us."
Dexcom U Days create moments of connection and mentorship for the next generation of athletes with diabetes
This fall, Dexcom will host "Dexcom U Days" at select Dexcom U athletes' games across the country, bringing youth athletes with diabetes together with Dexcom U athletes in a meaningful way, creating the kind of connection many collegiate athletes wish they had when they were first diagnosed. Fall Dexcom U Day games include:
October 9: Raegan Lantz, Volleyball, Miami of Ohio vs. Ball State University
October 10: Austin Howard, Football, Vanderbilt University vs. Ole Miss
October 10: Ben Mirisch, Water Polo, University of Southern California vs. UC San Diego
October 10: Maxim Speed, Soccer, Saint Mary's College vs. Pacific University
New research shows mentorship and technology drive confidence for athletes with diabetes
Building on its 2022 research, Dexcom conducted a new survey examining how a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis shapes sports participation, mental health and daily life. The 2026 findings reveal persistent barriers to athletic engagement—but also promising shifts in attitudes and representation within the diabetes community:
More young adults with Type 1 diabetes are sticking with sports. The percentage who quit sports after diagnosis dropped from 24% to 16%, while overall sports participation rose to 85% from 81%.¹
Isolation and stigma are declining. Young adults with diabetes reporting frequent loneliness dropped to 15% from 28%, and those feeling embarrassed because of Type 1 diabetes dropped to 12% from 20%.¹
Visible role models and mentors would make a real difference: 77% of young adults say awareness of athletes with Type 1 diabetes would help newly diagnosed individuals, and 82% feel more represented seeing people with diabetes in sports and media.¹ Among those surveyed with a diabetes mentor, 92% report a positive experience.¹
Diabetes management remains a barrier. Among those who quit sports, 62% feared low glucose levels, while 54% found managing diabetes during activity too complicated (up from 42%).¹
CGM users report greater control and confidence. Those who started CGM use within a year of diagnosis reported significantly lower rates of glucose control difficulties (11% vs. 28%), fear of lows (22% vs. 54%), and mental burden (18% vs. 34%) compared to later adopters.¹
To learn more about Dexcom U, visit www.dexcom.com/dexcomu.
Survey Methodology
The survey was conducted online from July 8-14, 2026, among 1,004 U.S. adults with Type 1 diabetes or parents of children under age 18 with Type 1 diabetes. Respondents included both continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) users and non-users and were recruited from the dQ&A U.S. Patient Panel to reflect the age distribution of the U.S. Type 1 diabetes population.
About Dexcom
Dexcom empowers people to take control of health through innovative biosensing technology. Founded in 1999, Dexcom has pioneered and set the standard in glucose biosensing for more than 25 years. Its technology has transformed how people manage diabetes and track their glucose, helping them feel more in control and live more confidently.
Dexcom. Discover what you're made of. For more information, visit www.dexcom.com.
*Smart device sold separately. For a list of compatible devices, visit www.Dexcom.com/compatibility.
1 Dexcom, data on file, 2026
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Contacts
Media Contact
Aly Brandt
mediarelations@dexcom.com
Investor Contact
Sean Christensen
sean.christensen@dexcom.com