BSA Summit Expanded Horizons

Eight students from the University of Oregon spent a long weekend in May learning, networking and socializing with colleagues from around the country at the annual Black Student Athlete Summit.

This year's summit was hosted by USC on May 21-24. The UO contingent included Blessyn McMorris and Nicole Jackson from acrobatics and tumbling; Chance Gray from women's basketball; Ajanae Respass from soccer; and football players Jeffrey Bassa, Trikweze Bridges, Jamal Hill and Steve Stephens IV.

The student-athletes were accompanied by Senior Associate Athletic Director for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Da'Mon Merkerson and football director of player development Osman Kamara.

The Black Student Athlete Summit included programming intended to empower participants to maximize their collegiate experience while also preparing them for their futures.

"It was a great opportunity to see black people do what we do, see why we're great," Stephens said. "From the different people in careers to different athletes that are on campus, to networking and socializing, it was just a beautiful thing overall."

Programming included forums with collegiate administrators and professionals from across various industries, networking sessions, a career fair and a "pro day" featuring former student-athletes now working professionally.

"This is a unique space where student-athletes across the nation get to have conversations, and reflect on how they share experiences, even though they're on different campuses," Merkerson said. "And talk through ways we can work collaboratively to improve their overall experience – because as a professional, working with students and making a better experience is what I'm here to do."

Among the topics of discussion in the morning forums were mindfulness and mental health. McMorris said the mindfulness session resonated particularly with her.

"It talked about using your breathing, being present in the present moment in your sport, and I think that's really helpful," she said.

Bassa said networking at the "pro day" was among the most impactful elements of the summit. Gray appreciated the forum on the power of faith, given its importance in her own life.

Bridges said hearing about the experience of female student-athletes around the country caused him to reflect on ways to make the atmosphere at Oregon most conducive to their success.

"I know they go through a lot," he said. "We need to help them more, mentally and everything, so that's something I want to bring back to the University of Oregon."

The summit also provided opportunities for the UO participants to attend forums about the experiences of student-athletes at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and for black student-athletes in the Ivy League. There were also professional development forums on topics including real estate and personal branding.

"It guides us to want to be the leaders that we already are," Stephens said of the experience, "and impact the school in a better way than we're already doing."

University of Oregon Athletics

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