Over the summer, some Sun Devil Athletic student athletes, academic coaches, and employees attended summits and conferences that helped them grow in their personal and professional lives. Participating in these conferences provided an opportunity to learn about and bring back best practices to Sun Devil Athletics to enhance the overall experience of Black and LGBTQI+ student-athletes, staff and coaches. Additionally, Cienna Samiley spearheaded the Sun Devil Athletics Peer Health Educator program (peer-peer wellness program) at the International Town and Gowns Association (ITGA) conference.
At the Black Student-Athlete (BSA) Summit, SDA was represented at this summit by Olivia Coleman (women's soccer), Mya Wheeler (women's soccer), Tyi Skinner (women's basketball), Deana Garner (Sr. Associate AD), and Markisha Farrier (academic coach). The BSA Summit is the only of its kind that caters to the holistic development of the Black Student-Athlete. The summit consisted of three action-packed days that were filled with content, interactive educational panels, breakout sessions, people, and networking. The goal of the summit is to empower Black Student-Athletes to maximize their college experience by excelling in the classroom and to explore all opportunities available before they graduate from college. Professional staff along with the student-athletes who attended the summit were empowered to collaboratively return to their campuses and create innovative initiatives to ensure that Black-Student Athletes are competitive in the global workforce upon graduation.
Senior basketball star Tyi Skinner said that she wanted to attend the BSA Summit because she "wanted to network and connect with more people who look like (me) and as well as go to a place that I've never been before along with just going through a new experience."
Junior Olivia Coleman on the women's soccer team said that attending the summit was important to her because, "going to a PWI (Predominantly White Institution) can sometimes feel isolating when you aren't around people who look like you. I was so excited to be surrounded by successful black professionals and athletes that have gone through the same things as me. It was inspiring and motivating to listen and learn from my fellow athletes on the way they have handled different situations."
Fellow soccer teammate Mya Wheeler said that her biggest takeaway from the BSA Summit was "to take risks! Do not be afraid to reach for something that seems impossible. Do the things that people told you you could not do and prove them wrong. If I truly want something, I have to fight for it."
Markisha Farrier, who is an Academic Coach at SDA, said that her biggest takeaway from the summit was, "being around these young student athletes was so impressive. The work they are doing. How open they are to discussing mental health, social injustice and showcasing what they're involved in was next level. I learned from so many of them and I'm excited to follow their journeys."
The second summit that was attended by SDA representatives was the Athlete Ally, Athlete Activism Summit. This summit was attended by Katie Vahle (women's lacrosse), Erica Rothkopf (academic coach), Deana Garner (Sr. Associate AD), and Adam Gottner (graduate assistant). This summit was held in Seattle, Washington from June 22-25. This was the second annual Athlete Ally Athlete Activism Summit, hosted in partnership with adidas and the University of Washington. Throughout the summit, student-athletes, coaches, and administrators, other LGBTQI+ stakeholders came together from across the country to build community, gain knowledge, and commit to actions that will help expand LGBTQI+ inclusion and allyship on their respective campuses and local communities.
Erica Rothkopf, who is an Academic Coach at SDA, said that attending this summit was important to her because, "As an athletic academic advisor, I work with student-athletes of all identities and backgrounds. It's a personal endeavor for me to be able to support our ASU LGBTQI+ student-athletes." Also, Rothkopf says that it is important for SDA staff to get involved in these types of opportunities "due to our diverse ASU student-athlete body. I believe I will be a better support system and ally for my students because of what I learned at the conference."
Junior Goalkeeper Katie Vahle said that her biggest takeaway from the summit was "the contribution from partnerships with brands, schools, and athletes from every level that are pushing this organization forward to help spread the message of equality in sports."
The last conference was the International Town and Gown Association (IGTA) Conference, it was held at Colorado State University, and it was attended by Cienna Samiley (gymnastics) and Deana Garner (Sr. Associate AD). The IGTA is a global non-profit that is dedicated to college campus and community interests. In order to fulfill their mission and to meet the individual and community needs of its members, ITGA convenes gatherings, educates members and partner organizations, researches topics of concern, shares knowledge, and mobilizes members to ensure the success of communities around the world.
Senior Cienna Samiley said that her biggest takeaway from the IGTA Conference was "learning about the different perspectives and resources we can gain. I enjoyed learning more about the various universities, cities, towns, and organizations and how they all collaborate in order to meet students' best interests and needs. Networking was a great experience because I met many people with unique backgrounds from all around the nation and gained insight on their programs. I will have these connections for the rest of my life."
Senior Associate AD Deana Garner was lucky enough to attend all three of these summits and conferences throughout the summer. To her, "Attending these conferences and providing an opportunity for others to do so is critical for Sun Devil Athletics to grow our knowledge base so we can best support our student-athletes who come from all walks of life."
With school starting in less than a month for all of these student-athletes, they intend to bring what they learned at these summits and conferences back to campus and to their teams.
At the Black Student-Athlete (BSA) Summit, SDA was represented at this summit by Olivia Coleman (women's soccer), Mya Wheeler (women's soccer), Tyi Skinner (women's basketball), Deana Garner (Sr. Associate AD), and Markisha Farrier (academic coach). The BSA Summit is the only of its kind that caters to the holistic development of the Black Student-Athlete. The summit consisted of three action-packed days that were filled with content, interactive educational panels, breakout sessions, people, and networking. The goal of the summit is to empower Black Student-Athletes to maximize their college experience by excelling in the classroom and to explore all opportunities available before they graduate from college. Professional staff along with the student-athletes who attended the summit were empowered to collaboratively return to their campuses and create innovative initiatives to ensure that Black-Student Athletes are competitive in the global workforce upon graduation.
Senior basketball star Tyi Skinner said that she wanted to attend the BSA Summit because she "wanted to network and connect with more people who look like (me) and as well as go to a place that I've never been before along with just going through a new experience."
Junior Olivia Coleman on the women's soccer team said that attending the summit was important to her because, "going to a PWI (Predominantly White Institution) can sometimes feel isolating when you aren't around people who look like you. I was so excited to be surrounded by successful black professionals and athletes that have gone through the same things as me. It was inspiring and motivating to listen and learn from my fellow athletes on the way they have handled different situations."
Fellow soccer teammate Mya Wheeler said that her biggest takeaway from the BSA Summit was "to take risks! Do not be afraid to reach for something that seems impossible. Do the things that people told you you could not do and prove them wrong. If I truly want something, I have to fight for it."
Markisha Farrier, who is an Academic Coach at SDA, said that her biggest takeaway from the summit was, "being around these young student athletes was so impressive. The work they are doing. How open they are to discussing mental health, social injustice and showcasing what they're involved in was next level. I learned from so many of them and I'm excited to follow their journeys."
The second summit that was attended by SDA representatives was the Athlete Ally, Athlete Activism Summit. This summit was attended by Katie Vahle (women's lacrosse), Erica Rothkopf (academic coach), Deana Garner (Sr. Associate AD), and Adam Gottner (graduate assistant). This summit was held in Seattle, Washington from June 22-25. This was the second annual Athlete Ally Athlete Activism Summit, hosted in partnership with adidas and the University of Washington. Throughout the summit, student-athletes, coaches, and administrators, other LGBTQI+ stakeholders came together from across the country to build community, gain knowledge, and commit to actions that will help expand LGBTQI+ inclusion and allyship on their respective campuses and local communities.
Erica Rothkopf, who is an Academic Coach at SDA, said that attending this summit was important to her because, "As an athletic academic advisor, I work with student-athletes of all identities and backgrounds. It's a personal endeavor for me to be able to support our ASU LGBTQI+ student-athletes." Also, Rothkopf says that it is important for SDA staff to get involved in these types of opportunities "due to our diverse ASU student-athlete body. I believe I will be a better support system and ally for my students because of what I learned at the conference."
Junior Goalkeeper Katie Vahle said that her biggest takeaway from the summit was "the contribution from partnerships with brands, schools, and athletes from every level that are pushing this organization forward to help spread the message of equality in sports."
The last conference was the International Town and Gown Association (IGTA) Conference, it was held at Colorado State University, and it was attended by Cienna Samiley (gymnastics) and Deana Garner (Sr. Associate AD). The IGTA is a global non-profit that is dedicated to college campus and community interests. In order to fulfill their mission and to meet the individual and community needs of its members, ITGA convenes gatherings, educates members and partner organizations, researches topics of concern, shares knowledge, and mobilizes members to ensure the success of communities around the world.
Senior Cienna Samiley said that her biggest takeaway from the IGTA Conference was "learning about the different perspectives and resources we can gain. I enjoyed learning more about the various universities, cities, towns, and organizations and how they all collaborate in order to meet students' best interests and needs. Networking was a great experience because I met many people with unique backgrounds from all around the nation and gained insight on their programs. I will have these connections for the rest of my life."
Senior Associate AD Deana Garner was lucky enough to attend all three of these summits and conferences throughout the summer. To her, "Attending these conferences and providing an opportunity for others to do so is critical for Sun Devil Athletics to grow our knowledge base so we can best support our student-athletes who come from all walks of life."
With school starting in less than a month for all of these student-athletes, they intend to bring what they learned at these summits and conferences back to campus and to their teams.