University of Richmond Athletics

Student-Athletes Take Part In #SameHere Sit-Down Campus Tour
10/01/2018 | Academic Services, Spider Leadership
RICHMOND, Va. – The University of Richmond athletic department took part in the #SameHere Sit-Down College Campus Tour last week on campus, one of just 15 campus nation-wide chosen for a stop. The initiative was started by the mental health non-profit – We Are All A Little Crazy – by founder Eric Kussin.
Former NHL star and Olympic Gold Medalist Theo Fleury alongside Darren Rovel of ESPN led an interactive and entertaining storytelling discussion with celebrity influencers, that opened up about their own mental health battles.
"I thought that Theo and Eric's stories resonated with athletes in the audience and allowed us to see that even the most successful athletes struggle sometimes-- and that it's okay," women's soccer senior student-athlete MacKenzie Cox said. "I liked how they touched on how more people are talking about mental health, but only in diagnoses and symptoms, instead of feelings. Personally, I felt empowered when Theo said that although we are finally at a point where talking about mental illness is normal, not enough people are doing something about it. Eric and Theo are living proof that is possible."
Students were invited to join the conversation on managing stress, anxiety, and trauma – challenges we all face – as we look to continue to lead and change the way mental health is approached on campus. The visit was part of a Global #SameHere Movement and was brought to Richmond by the hard work of Dr. Kristen Day and the CAPS center.
"This past week was incredibly powerful for student-athletes and the larger student body," senior track student-athlete Marshea Robinson said. "On Tuesday, we gathered in Ukrops Auditorium for the #SameHere sit down, and learned that 'We're All a Little Crazy'. Speakers Theo Fleury and Eric Kussin openly and willingly shared their mental health stories with us, and the pain could be felt throughout. Mental health is a topic beginning to be addressed by student-athletes throughout the nation. It is a topic we too at Richmond are pushing to the forefront with the construction of the new well-being center. It was an honor meeting the #SameHere team, and speaking with them about how to create change on our campus. We have already been making connections with student-athletes on campuses around the nation with Eric's help."
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Former NHL star and Olympic Gold Medalist Theo Fleury alongside Darren Rovel of ESPN led an interactive and entertaining storytelling discussion with celebrity influencers, that opened up about their own mental health battles.
"I thought that Theo and Eric's stories resonated with athletes in the audience and allowed us to see that even the most successful athletes struggle sometimes-- and that it's okay," women's soccer senior student-athlete MacKenzie Cox said. "I liked how they touched on how more people are talking about mental health, but only in diagnoses and symptoms, instead of feelings. Personally, I felt empowered when Theo said that although we are finally at a point where talking about mental illness is normal, not enough people are doing something about it. Eric and Theo are living proof that is possible."
Students were invited to join the conversation on managing stress, anxiety, and trauma – challenges we all face – as we look to continue to lead and change the way mental health is approached on campus. The visit was part of a Global #SameHere Movement and was brought to Richmond by the hard work of Dr. Kristen Day and the CAPS center.
"This past week was incredibly powerful for student-athletes and the larger student body," senior track student-athlete Marshea Robinson said. "On Tuesday, we gathered in Ukrops Auditorium for the #SameHere sit down, and learned that 'We're All a Little Crazy'. Speakers Theo Fleury and Eric Kussin openly and willingly shared their mental health stories with us, and the pain could be felt throughout. Mental health is a topic beginning to be addressed by student-athletes throughout the nation. It is a topic we too at Richmond are pushing to the forefront with the construction of the new well-being center. It was an honor meeting the #SameHere team, and speaking with them about how to create change on our campus. We have already been making connections with student-athletes on campuses around the nation with Eric's help."
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