NEW YORK (September 19, 2022) – In June, the BIG EAST Conference, the University of Connecticut and The Zone teamed up to host the conference’s fourth Student-Athlete Well-Being Forum on the UConn campus, aiming to promote mental wellness among student-athletes. The Forum featured a diverse group of attendees, including industry leaders, campus counselors, coaches, doctors, athletic trainers, faculty and athletic administrators, student-athletes participating in Team IMPACT leadership training and the BIG EAST Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
 
The 2022 Forum occurred June 14-15, focusing on the range of issues that affect the overall well-being of student-athletes, including stress, sleep deprivation, injuries, mental health challenges and other health matters. Speakers detailed best practices developed by the NCAA and BIG EAST institutions to help ensure that adequate resources are publicized and made accessible to all student-athletes on campus.
 
In addition, SAAC members participated in teambuilding activities, a community service project and group dinners, before concluding the four-day event Thursday, June 16 with a SAAC Business Meeting.
 
Joshua’s Trust welcomed member student-athletes of the BIG EAST for a community service event at Agnes's Pasture at Hubbard Sanctuary in Chaplin, Conn. The students helped maintain the preserve by removing overgrown foliage and other materials.
 
Joshua's Trust is a private, non-profit land trust run by a volunteer Board of Trustees. Joshua’s Trust owns or oversees 5,000 acres of land in 14 towns located in Eastern Connecticut. It depends on volunteers to maintain the properties.
 
“Those BIG EASTers did a great job on Agnes’ Pasture, plus they were positive and engaging people with whom to chat,” said Carl Lindquist, the property Steward, when describing the event. “It was a very positive experience.”
   
Following the community service project at Agnes’ Pasture, student-athletes connected over dinner before participating in an Improv teambuilding activity at the Sea Tea Comedy Theatre in Hartford, Conn.
 
Concluding the event, SAAC held its annual business meeting, opening with discussions regarding their experiences at the Well Being Forum and Team Impact Leadership Training. The group was particularly interested in continuing the conversation in and around the importance of sleep and shared that they enjoyed the presentation from The Center for Healing and Justice Through Sport and their emphasis on how sport impacts the brain and helps heal past trauma.
 
The student-athletes also discussed The Zone, a mental health and wellness coaching app co-founded by a pair of former Concordia College - New York student-athletes Ivan Tchatchouwo (basketball) and Erik Poldroo (baseball), that allows athletes to log their moods and feelings and receive AI-powered feedback about how they might benefit from seeking real-world help.
 
The group later reviewed new legislation, a recap of the 2021-22 academic year, an overview of the E-Board Officer roles before wrapping up the meeting with areas of focus for the 2022-23 academic year.
 
Key focal points include nutrition and healthy eating, and the impact both have on mental health and wellness. Additionally, the committee will continue to engage and grow the Conference's partnership with Team Impact.
 
Following the events of the Well-Being Forum, the 2022-23 committee was formed, once again consisting of two student-athletes from all eleven institutions.
 
The committee introduced Marquette’s Julian Wright as the new President of the BIG EAST SAAC E-board. Wright is an All-BIG EAST member in track and field, following a third-place finish in the 4x100 meter relay at the 2022 BIG EAST Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Presented by Jeep.
 
Acting as Vice President is Providence women’s tennis member Vannelie Melendez. UConn Ice Hockey defender Ainsley Svetek assumes the role as the Chief of Staff, while St. John’s Track and Field weight-thrower Samantha Morillo steps in as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer.
 
For the full list of 22 members CLICK HERE.
 
The conference SAAC represents all BIG EAST student-athletes on NCAA, BIG EAST and institutional issues. These league representatives will actively participate in discussions regarding governance and legislation, student-athlete welfare, community service, and other topics determined by the Conference. These student-athletes will communicate regularly with Conference leadership and help to create a BIG EAST Conference community of student-athlete leaders.
    
The BIG EAST:
The BIG EAST Conference is an association of 11 nationally prominent colleges and universities that foster healthy athletic competition, community service and the pursuit of excellence in academic environments.  The athletic programs of BIG EAST institutions provide national-caliber participation opportunities for more than 4,100 student-athletes on over 200 men’s and women’s teams in 22 sports.  Established in 1979 and headquartered in New York City, the BIG EAST’s members are located in eight of the country’s top 37 largest media markets and include Butler University, University of Connecticut, Creighton University, DePaul University, Georgetown University, Marquette University, Providence College, St. John’s University, Seton Hall University, Villanova University and Xavier University.  For more information, visit www.bigeast.com.