Former Princeton University football player launches nonprofit to revitalize Appalachian region

Justice Musser grew up in Damascus, a small town in Southwest Virginia with a population of approximately 780 residents. Known as “Trail Town USA” for its Seven Trails, Damascus is home to the well-known "Creeper Trail." 

In 2018, Justice moved to Bristol, Tennessee, where he attended Tennessee High School and played on the football team. He was then recruited to play football for Princeton University. “Being a part of the football team here has helped me create habits and discipline that I can then take on to the real world. … Honestly, I wouldn't have gotten to this point if it wasn't for Princeton,” he said.

While Justice was attending Princeton, his hometown endured devastating flooding caused by Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in September 2022.

"Seeing bridges being wiped out, the trail being erased from the side of the mountains, it was honestly heartbreaking,” he said. In July 2025, Justice founded The Ironwood Foundation with the goal of rebuilding the Creeper Trail and revitalizing Appalachia. 

His passion for his hometown region is deeply ingrained. “Coal miners are in my family and this theme of being resilient, this theme of hard work and having a strong work ethic runs deep within our veins. [My great-grandmother’s] strength and her positivity was something that I will always carry with me throughout my life, and I think that sort of ties back into my love for the area.”

Justice graduated from Princeton University in 2026 with a bachelor of arts in anthropology and a minor in entrepreneurship. He currently attends Indiana State University with plans to attend law school and eventually move back to the Appalachia region to continue to give back to his community.

Stand up for students like Justice who are using their college education in service to others: https://standup.princeton.edu/