Symposium focuses on DIII student-athlete well-being

01/25/2022 

SUNY Cortland will host a national conversation focused on the well-being of Division III student-athletes, including the mental health challenges they face, as the first event in a new athletics-focused initiative spearheaded by the university.

The new Institute for DIII Athlete Well-being and Athletic Leadership will offer a free online symposium Monday, Feb. 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Four main panel discussions will include input from current and former student-athletes, coaches, athletic trainers and administrators from SUNY Cortland and across the country.

The event is open to anyone interested in DIII athletics, including professionals who currently work in the field, students interested in a college sports career and members of the public.

Registration is available online. Participants should pre-register and they are encouraged to attend all sessions. They may also choose topics that fit their schedules and interests.

The day’s symposium will follow this schedule:

• 9:30 to 9:45 a.m. – Welcome  
• 9:45 to 10:15 a.m. – DIII Athlete Well-Being Overview 
• 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. – Best Practices for DIII Athlete Well-Being 
• 1 to 2 p.m. – Mental Health 
• 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. – Transitioning Out of the Athlete Role 
• 3:15 to 3:30 p.m. – Closing Remarks: Creating a Community to Support DIII Athlete Well-being

Access links to the symposium will be sent leading up to the event. Questions about the symposium can be directed to Bonni C. Hodges, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor of Health, at hodgesb@cortland.edu or 607-753-2982.

SUNY Cortland’s recently-established institute aims to use multidisciplinary research to improve the well-being of DIII student-athletes and professionals. Four main focus areas include health literacy; well-being skills and behaviors; professionalism; and the balancing of athletics, work, academics and life.

With more than 425 member institutions, Division III is the NCAA’s largest intercollegiate athletics division. Roughly 40% of all NCAA student-athletes compete in DIII.

At SUNY Cortland, approximately 650 student-athletes compete across 25 DIII teams. The university’s athletics program boasts more than 100 individual national championships and 25 team championships, including DIII titles in nine sports — the second-highest total nationally.

SUNY Cortland’s School of Professional Studies houses academic departments that include health; kinesiology; physical education; recreation, parks and leisure studies; and sport management.

For more information on the new initiative, contact its co-directors Hodges or Lindsey Darvin, assistant professor of sport management.