AUSTIN, Texas – Four Marist student-athletes attended the 2020 Black Student-Athlete Summit, which was held at the University of Texas from Jan. 8-10. This year's Red Foxes who participated were Randy Paul of football, Jada Tijani of women's tennis, Darien Townsend of football, and Chidera Udeh of volleyball.
 
Over the three days, a total of 21 sessions were held. Topics ranged from mental health, identity, and spirituality to current issues such as pay-for-play, and name, image, and likeness. Breakout and networking sessions also took place. Keynote speeches were delivered by Dr. Martin Smith from Duke University and journalist Jemele Hill.
 
"We were so fortunate to be able to send four student-athletes to this year's summit," Marist Director of Student-Athlete Enhancement Alyssa Gates said. "We hope to continue to have Marist represented in the years to come."
 
Here are quotes from this year's attendees:
 
Randy Paul
"The Black Student-Athlete Summit was a very memorable experience. I was able to meet many different student athletes from around the country. I noticed even though we went to different schools we had the same type of struggles at school. One thing that I took away was that many Black Student Athletes suffer from Identity Foreclosure. Sometimes athletes have a mindset that if they don't go pro they disappointed their family and community back at home. We focus so much on our sport that we begin to not notice the other identities we have as an athlete, that transcends to other people and institutions only view us as athletes. In fact that cripples us, because when we are done with athletics, we don't know what else we are good at. This summit emphasized to not minimize our glory and understand our worth in this world as more than an athlete." 
 
Jada Tijani
"The Black Student-Athlete Summit was amazing in that it allowed us to interact with other athletes from around the country who could identify with what we each faced mentally on a daily basis. It was a life-changing experience that opened my mind even more to a world outside of athletics. We often get caught up in the student-athlete hustle, and we forget that one day, this chapter will close. I am now more sure of my identity, both inside and outside of athletics; I learned things that will inspire current and future student-athletes and would highly recommend this experience to anybody."
 
Darien Townsend
"My experience at the Black Student-Athlete Summit was truly inspiring and insightful. It was great to meet so many other determined black student athletes from all over the country. It was a privilege to learn from so many scholars and professionals about the mental health of a black student-athlete." 
 
Chidera Udeh
"The Black Student-Athlete Summit enlightened my mind to a lot of the mental health issues that black college student athletes go through. A lot of colleges and universities athletic programs need to prioritize the health of the mind just as much they do the body. The summit was a great way to network with black professionals who want to help better the experience for black student athletes. I met a lot of great student athletes from universities all over the country who can provide as a support system through the remainder of my time as a student athlete."
 
This is the second straight year Marist has sent representatives to the Black Student-Athlete Summit. In 2019, the attendees were Amanda Guy of women's rowing, Jordan Jones of men's basketball, and Randy Taveras of baseball.