Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Athletics Champions Student-Athlete Mental Health During Awareness Week
10/15/2025 11:30:00 AM | General, Buck Harless Student Athlete Program, Student-Athlete Health and Wellness
Event-filled week from Oct. 6-11 focused on mental wellness recharges Herd
Be HERD Mental Wellness and Performance
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Student-Athlete Mental Health Week came to an energizing close over the weekend as Marshall Athletics wrapped up an event-filled week that prioritized the well-being of Marshall's student-athletes.
Marshall Athletics teamed with Be HERD Mental Wellness and Performance to bring awareness to issues surrounding student-athlete mental health while also letting student-athletes know of the many resources they have available to ensure that they get the most out of their experience as a Marshall student-athlete.
At Marshall, our student-athletes and their experience will always be at the forefront of everything we do, said Gerald J. Harrison, Vice President/Director of Athletics at Marshall University. These remarkable young people devote their time, effort and energy to represent the Herd with pride and purpose. In the spirit of our Herd Mentality, we stand together to match their commitment – doing everything we can to clear a path for their success during their Marshall journey and long after their playing days are done.
Dating back to her days representing Marshall as a player and a leader on the softball team, Marshall Softball coach Morgan Zerkle noted the importance of mental well-being as a key factor in success, both individually and as a team.
It is an aspect that she places high importance on as she now molds the future of Marshall Softball and its student-athletes.
Taking care of our mental health is important for both athletes and coaches to better handle pressure, deal with failure and perform our best for our teams, Zerkle said.
Marshall Tennis player Thalia Smith said that performing at a high level on the field means being at peak performance, which is just as much about taking care of the mental side of being an athlete as it is training the body for competition.
Mental Health is equally important as physical health, said Thalia Smith of Marshall Tennis. Just like an athlete wouldn't want to play a game with a broken bone, a student wouldn't want to take an exam in a damaged physiological state. Both the body and mind need to be fueled for personal success.
With student-athletes trying to achieve a balance between the demands of academics and athletics, having the proper tools to succeed are integral, and Mental Health Week helped highlight several tools to do so.
The week included the following events to give student-athletes the tools and tips for success:
- Mindful Monday: Marshall student-athletes were invited to Yoga at Joan C. Edwards Stadium, which provided a fun, unique experience while helping them learn the benefits of yoga and guided breathing and its positive impact for the body and mind.
- Wellness Tip Tuesday: Valuable tips were provided to student-athletes in the Buck Success Center, team locker rooms and training areas with motivational messaging for positive engagement.
- Paws For Wellness: One of the week's events that brought the most smiles, Marshall student-athletes visiting the Buck Harless Academic Center walkway got to meet and hang out with therapy dogs. MU Paws was an on-campus partner for this event while Little Victories Animal Rescue was a community partner.
- Thankful Thursday: Marshall student-athletes were offered the opportunity to come post notes of thanks for Green and White Gratitude Day
- Mental Health Game Day: Be HERD set up a table and had several giveaways at Marshall Swim & Dive's match against WVU
- We Are … Herd Strong: Prior to Marshall Football's contest with Old Dominion, Be Herd set up a Mental Health Awareness Table by FanFest with information and brochures for the public.
Mental Health Week also coincided with Marshall University's Fall Break, which offered students and student-athletes alike an opportunity to recharge and re-focus prior to the stretch run toward the end of the semester.
When I prioritize my mental health, I remember that I am more than just an athlete, and that gives me the courage to keep going, said Sadie Rogers of Women's Swimming and Diving.
While Mental Health Week may have come to a close, the week's impact through awareness initiatives is only the beginning of the focus on ensuring an impactful experience while at Marshall.
Mental health is the foundation of all success both on and off the playing surface, said Tim Ebbecke, Marshall Volleyball assistant coach. Taking care of mental health should be no different than treating a rolled ankle. At the end of the day, we are all just humans trying to grow to become the best versions of ourselves, and that should encompass our mental health.
As part of the holistic effort to build the Herd Mentality and ensure a winning culture, Marshall Athletics is launching HERD UP – a developing initiative that empowers Marshall student-athletes to thrive beyond their sport through three foundational pillars: Personal Development, Professional Development and Community Development.
HERD UP is our commitment to going above and beyond for every current, past and future member of the Herd, said Jadan Hudson, Director of Student-Athlete Development for Marshall Athletics.
Stay logged on to Herdzone.com for more details regarding HERD UP and its purpose in the coming weeks.
To learn more about Be HERD Mental Wellness and Performance and their efforts to maximize mental health awareness among Marshall student-athletes, click HERE.
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