General | 1/21/2020 11:59:06 AM
The Empire 8 Conference is set to hold its annual Student-Athlete Leadership Summit on Friday, Jan. 31 and Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020 from Woodcliff Hotel and Spa in Fairport, NY. Will Heininger, Outreach Coordinator for Mental Health at the University of Michigan Depression Center is the keynote speaker for the event.
This year’s Summit is once again focused on bringing together members of the higher education community from around the conference (student-athletes, Administrators, Coaches and Vice-Presidents) in a fun and educational environment away from campus.
Heininger was a four-year letterman for the University of Michigan Football team from 2008-2011, who publicly shared his story of overcoming major depression and anxiety while playing for the Wolverines and excelling as a student-athlete. After successful treatment, Heininger went on to thrive at U of M, graduating as a four-time letterman in football, a 4-time Academic All-Big Ten award winner, and twice a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.
In 2014, Heininger helped found and launch the Athletes Connected program at UM, a comprehensive program that supports student-athlete mental health and wellbeing. Will works with the Outreach & Education team at the Depression Center to deliver relatable mental health education, and improve outcomes in populations such as schools, businesses, athletic departments, teams, and communities.
Summit attendees will also be taking part in a presentation by John Rigney, Senior Counselor/Outreach Coordinator in Health and Counseling Services from Nazareth College on mental health education, which is the theme of the 2020 Empire 8 Student-Athlete Summit.
“I’m thrilled that the Empire 8 Conference is focusing on student-athlete mental health at its Leadership Summit,” said Heininger. “Personally, learning about my mental health – including how to get professional help and maintain mental fitness – was key in unlocking my full potential as a student and an athlete. When student-athletes are developed holistically, they are more likely to be successful short- and long-term, because they are more likely have skills to successfully navigate the challenges life throws at them, during and after college. From recognizing stress, to regulating their emotions, to responding to adversity – these tools will serve them well in current, and future, endeavors.”
In addition to the presentations, the student-athletes will also participate in the Minute-to-Win-it challenge and each school will be making their donation of Pop Tabs to the Ronald McDonald House.
Please visit the link for more information on the pop-tab program:
http://www.ronaldshouse.com/community-fundraisers/pop-tab-program
Programming for the Summit is made possible through the NCAA Strategic Initiative Grant Tier II funds.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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