Sean Tuohey accepts congratulations from Vice President of External Affairs William Hiss (left) for receiving honorary membership to the Scholar-Athlete Society.

Sean Touhey’s work epitomizes the way that athletic competition, cross-cultural communication and humanitarian work support each other in advancement of human understanding.

He and his brother Brendan are co-founders of Peace Players International, a global non-profit organization that uses basketball to unite children and develop leaders in conflict and post conflict regions.

Sean was captain of the varsity basketball team at Catholic University from 1997 to 1999. He played in the National Irish Basketball League in Northern Ireland in 1999-2000. His interest in the intersection between athletic competition and human understanding took him to the Philippines in 2004 in a program sponsored by the United Nations. And he completed his bachelor’s degree at Catholic University with honors in history in 2004.

It is a tribute both to Sean’s entrepreneurship and his great vision that PeacePlayers International has grown to year-round programs in South Africa, the Middle East, Northern Ireland and Cyprus and reaches more than 45,000 children. Of course the program includes athletic competition, including a unprecedented cross-community competitions in South Africa and Israel. It also includes life skills education addressing conflict resolution, sectarianism and HIV education. Bates alumni Bill Hart '02 and Lisa Golobski '03 have worked in Sean’s program.

His work has been recognized by two U.S. Presidents. He has received a Young Alumni award from his alma mater. He has been featured in national news magazines and on national television, and he has climbed Mt. Kilamanjaro.