POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – This past May, the Marist Athletic department, IDEA Committee, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Academic Affairs, and the Marist Center for Student-Athlete Enhancement joined together to send 12 student-athletes and four staff members to the Black Student-Athlete Summit in Los Angeles, California from May 21-24. The Black Student-Athlete Summit is an annual a four-day power-packed experience for black student-Athletes and influencers in the world of college sports. Read the thoughts below for more from the experience.
- Rene Barber, Football
- Kolbe Benham, Football
- Anaiya Bobo, Women's Track & Field
- Isaiah Brickner, Men's Basketball
- Masin Cobb, Football
- Javon Cooley, Men's Basketball
- Suraj Fong, Football
- Alyssa Gates, Director of Student-Athlete Enhancement
- Harrison Baker, Associate Athletic Director, Chief Diversity Officer for Athletics
- Nicholas Jackson, Football
- Mylo Lee, Football
- Dorian Long, Assistant Coach, Men's Basketball
- Arthur Pinckney, Football
- Anthony Randall, Head Coach, Swimming and Diving
- Marcel Stewart, Men's Track & Field
- Alyssa White, Volleyball
- Keegan Wilkinson, Head Coach, Men's Lacrosse
What from your trip have you taken away that may help you and those around you in your academic and athletic careers?
Isaiah Brickner – Men's Basketball
"Encouraging people to seek out help when they need it and to not be afraid to get involved. I think as athletes we box ourselves into only our sport when we have a whole school full of resources to help us be successful."
Masin Cobb – Football
"One thing I took away was it all takes time. I know for me personally I struggle with wanting things to happen fast and immediately. But listening to everyone speak it just doesn't work like that. And sometimes I have to remember that life isn't like that."
Marcel Stewart – Track & Field
"The huge emphasis on making and keeping connections is something that I took away from the summit. Having conversations with my professors, teammates, classmates, and coaches goes a long way."
Tell us more about what made this experience special?
Alyssa White – Volleyball
"I feel like I walked away from the Summit with so much more than I could have ever imagined. Not only did I grow closer to the staff and athletes from Marist, but I got to meet so many athletes from other schools who inspired me to work toward the kind of campus impact they have already made at their schools. I also gained invaluable connections and insight that will set me up to have so many career opportunities after graduation."
Harrison Baker – Associate Athletic Director
"Just being around these special student-athletes, getting to know them outside of an athletic setting and seeing them learn about one another and interact as friends was so special. Watching them exit their comfort zones but at the same time be so comfortable in opening up and learning about their peers was a joy to watch. I feel it was just as impactful for them as it was for me, the programming was equally as good for administrators and coaches as it was for the students."
What did it mean to you to have the opportunity to travel with this group of athletes and coaches/staff? Can you explain the support/relationships that you all have for one another?
Anaiya Bobo - Cross Country/Track and Field
"I truly could not have asked for a better group of student-athletes and coaches to travel with. Though I had not known most of the people prior to this trip, by the end it felt like we'd known each other all year! Being able to connect over shared experiences not only as black student-athletes but as black student-athletes at Marist allowed us to support one another and connect our different experiences. The coaches were just as supportive in supporting our learning and checking in on us consistently throughout out time in LA. I am so grateful to have met everyone!"
Alyssa Gates – Director, Center for Student-Athlete Enhancement
"It was, by far, one of the best experiences of my entire life, both personally and professionally. To be able to strengthen the relationships with the student-athletes and my colleagues was priceless to me. Whether we were learning at the Summit or spending time together at a meal, I enjoyed every second of this experience!"
Dorian Long – Assistant Coach, Men's Basketball
"I feel extremely lucky and blessed to have been included on this amazing trip. This group developed a genuine bond that I believe will last a long time, as we all have continued to communicate to this very day. I couldn't have asked for a better group to share this experience with."
What was your favorite moment from this trip?
Mylo Lee – Football
"My favorite moment from this trip was during an ice breaker exercise with every attendee, where we walked around a big room and got to meet and get to know each other a little bit. I enjoyed this because it gave me the opportunity to make new friends and get to hear how their college experience has been compared to mine."
Keegan Wilkinson – Head Coach, Men's Lacrosse
"I truly enjoyed this entire experience, but having the opportunity to establish and grow relationships with Marist student athletes and staff was unbelievable. Many of the members of our group that we traveled with I had not had the opportunity to spend much time with prior to the trip and I am really excited to continue our conversations this fall when we return to campus."
What was your favorite session or speaker from this trip?
Javon Cooley – Men's Basketball
"My favorite session was the creative session. From that session I enjoyed the speaker, Toreno, who is a celebrity stylist. I related to his creative journey so well and it gave me a lot of reassurance to be patience with mine. I could see myself doing what he's doing as a career or something similar so I found his story inspirational."
Any other points of importance? Tell us more about what made this experience special if you can?
Anthony Randall – Head Coach, Swimming & Diving
"The Black Student-Athlete Summit provided a uniquely personable experience for both the athletes and staff. From education, culture, professional development, and networking, this summit is an experience that every college/university should be sending their student-athletes and staff to."
Alyssa Gates – Director, Center for Student-Athlete Enhancement
"Attendance at the Summit needs to be an annual one and we should aim to send as many student-athletes and staff as we can. Why wouldn't we want as many student-athletes as possible to have such a life changing experience and come back to our campus ready to implement change and become better leaders? Strength in numbers! I would also suggest that faculty and staff outside of athletics consider attending to better understand the student-athlete experience."
