Health

Student government creates new department of student athlete relations

Notre Dame student government has created a new department of student athlete relations partially in response to an ongoing $2.8 billion lawsuit, House v. NCAA, that has the potential to upend college athletics. The suit, which began over a dispute about name, image and likeness (NIL) revenue sharing, was granted class-action status in 2023. If […]

Published

1 month ago

April 28, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Student government creates new department of student athlete relations

The suit, which began over a dispute about name, image and likeness (NIL) revenue sharing, was granted class-action status in 2023. If approved, the lawsuit would provide billions of dollars in back-pay damages to former student athletes and also allow colleges to begin revenue-sharing programs enabling them to pay athletes directly. Previously, student-athletes could be awarded scholarships from colleges but were not paid directly.

Importantly, the settlement was also drafted to include limits on the number of athletes that schools could have on their rosters. These roster limits would replace the NCAA’s current scholarship limits, which would force some colleges to cut student athletes.

However, on Wednesday, the judge overseeing the settlement, Claudia Wilken, ordered the two parties involved in suit to rewrite the section of the settlement dealing with roster-limits, stating that she would not approve the case if it would harm student-athletes who were part of the plaintiff’s class.

As the settlement was being negotiated, Notre Dame’s student government formed a new student athlete relations department, created by an omnibus senate bill that reshaped the executive cabinet. That bill, the first of the 2025-26 senate’s term, was passed April 2 with 32 affirmative votes, two negative votes, and four abstentions.

Student body president Jerry Vielhauer ran with the creation of this department as a part of his platform.

The director of the student athlete relations department, Robbie Wollan, who is also a walk-on member of Notre Dame’s football team, said there were a number of needs that prompted the creation of the department.

“There’s been a lot of press about athletes’ mental health over the past decade or so, but still a lot of people don’t know a lot about that … We have the sports psychologists, we have campus wellness centers, but there are a lot of challenges that student athletes face that are being brought up now, it’s not something that’s going to be in the future, we can change it right now,” he said.

Editor’s note: Vielhauer and Wollan were interviewed before judge Wilken ordered a modification of roster-limits.

Vielhauer was aware of the NCAA legislation when he went to create the new department, but his initial idea came while reviewing old student government administrations and centered more upon increasing representation for student athletes, noting that athletes make up roughly 10% of the student body.

“That is a very sizable portion of our student body, and for that group to not have any representation in student government was definitely, absolutely concerning to me … We have a lot of these diversity and inclusion departments to make sure that we are making every student feel like they’re part of the campus community, and I thought that we should not have student athletes not be included in that group,” Vielhauer said.

Wollan said that the department also has concerns over the House v. NCAA settlement.

“It will impact college athletes for the rest of college. The NCAA is making some really harsh decisions and not taking much feedback,” he said.

Wollan emphasized that if the roster-limits were adopted, the changes would mostly eliminate walk-ons, but noted that for many sports, scholarship athletes might also be cut. He added that Notre Dame is still waiting until the settlement is finalized before making roster cuts, but noted that some athletes have been told it would be in their best interest to enter the transfer portal.

Vielhauer hopes that athletes encouraged to enter the transfer portal won’t feel “forced to leave,” adding, “The detriment is this team limit cap. Our focus is going to be helping to take those athletes, who — they’ve been focusing on working so hard for this sport their entire life, and even after a couple years you’re on campus, to now be cut and told you’re no longer part of this team. What’s your friend group at that point? Where are your resources? Where do you want to feel welcome on campus?”

Wollan clarified that to support students impacted by the NCAA settlement, they’ll be aiding with the transition in terms of shifting away from reliance on sports psychologists to campus mental health resources, assisting them in developing closer connections with their academic advisors after shifting away from academic services for student athletes, “providing them more opportunities as they make that transition to being a student here.”

“Student athletes base so much of their identity on their sport. And if it is just completely wiped out in a split second by something that is completely out of your control, that’s very mentally and emotionally damaging to somebody,” Wollan added.

Wollan added that athletics director Pete Bevacqua has been transparent with athletes regarding the ruling and Notre Dame’s approach.

“Much of it is out of Notre Dame’s control, and they’re trying to handle all these decisions in the best way possible with their athletes’ best interest in mind,” Wollan said.

In written statements sent to The Observer after Wilken ordered a modification of roster-limits, both Vielhauer and Wollan said they are continuing to track the progress of the settlement.

“We are continuing to monitor this situation and evaluate the best next steps given whatever the outcome may be … At the end of the day, we are just going to be trying to figure out how to best support every student on campus, including our student-athletes,” Vielhauer wrote.

Wollan expressed gratitude for Wilken’s decision.

“Athletes around the nation are extremely grateful for Judge Wilken’s push to create a phase-in plan for roster limits. We are monitoring the process carefully, but will have to wait until a final decision is made to ensure we can make the best choices possible to support our student athletes. I am confident we will be prepared to take on whatever lies ahead, regardless of what decision is made,” Wollan wrote.

The department’s concerns are not limited to the House v. NCAA settlement, however. Vielhauer emphasized the need for stronger integration of student-athletes into the broader campus community.

“It’s very important to us to make sure athletes feel a part of campus, of that community, and that beyond just that, we also help to create a bridge and a strong bond between student athletes and the student body in general,” Vielhauer said.

He attributed the need for this bridge to “a kind of divide starting to happen on campus with NIL, because there’s a sense of jealousy I think a lot of students naturally will feel toward athletes being paid to come here and play a sport.”

Vielhauer clarified that this divide can sometimes stem from the frequency of student athletes not living on-campus. The University’s website states that “Notre Dame students are required to live on-campus for six semesters.” However, a number of student athletes who have yet completed this on-campus residency requirement are assigned dorm rooms but do not occupy them, opting instead to live off-campus.

Wollan dismissed that concern. “That is not a special privilege, they just financially can get a spot off campus while maintaining that dorm eligibility,” Wollan said.

Elaborating on the divide, Vielhauer said, “There are obviously special resources that student athletes have for a number of reasons. When everyday students don’t have the same resources, it can be difficult to at the same time see those athletes as having their own separate, real challenges.”

Wollan hopes to address misconceptions about the department, noting that they’ve received feedback in which “people are saying you’re giving athletes more physical resources, more exclusive opportunities,” despite this not being the case.

“We are not giving athletes more things. We’re helping maximize what they already have,” he said. He added that initiatives will include assisting students in getting more involved with dorm life, especially coaching intramural sports, as well as helping them to navigate opportunities to receive NIL funding and managing their responsibility to “represent Notre Dame at the highest level.”

“Notre Dame is always focused on leading. How do we get our student athletes, who have such an incredible platform, to lead Notre Dame to be one of the best universities in the world? Through college athletics, that’s a big opportunity to use that. I think a lot of schools aren’t making the most of that,” Wollan said.

Vielhauer shared that their team has been meeting with a lot of administrators regarding their platform, but they have not yet had time to discuss this with Notre Dame’s athletics department, and does not see this happening until the fall.

Vielhauer and Wollan are “leaning towards” having the department consist mostly of student athletes, providing them the biggest say in the matters the department addresses. Members of the department will be selected by the last day of classes and the department will begin to meet in the fall, consistent with other departments.

The Observer reached out to the athletics department for comment, but did not receive a response by deadline.

Health

Simone Biles Fires Back at 'Sick' Transphobic Comments About Athletes

Simone Biles went toe-to-toe with political activist Riley Gaines after the former competitive swimmer allegedly made comments about transgender athletes playing sports. OutKick podcaster Gaines, 25, reposted the Minnesota State High School League’s Friday, June 6, X upload about winning a softball tournament. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement “Comments off lol,” Gaines wrote on Friday. “To be […]

Published

19 hours ago

June 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Simone Biles Fires Back at 'Sick' Transphobic Comments About Athletes

Simone Biles went toe-to-toe with political activist Riley Gaines after the former competitive swimmer allegedly made comments about transgender athletes playing sports.

OutKick podcaster Gaines, 25, reposted the Minnesota State High School League’s Friday, June 6, X upload about winning a softball tournament.

“Comments off lol,” Gaines wrote on Friday. “To be expected when your star player is a boy.”

In response, Biles, 28, called out the “Gaines for Girls” podcast host for her allegedly transphobic comments.

Simone Biles Explains Why It Was ‘Important’ to Stand Up for Teammates After MyKayla Skinner Comments

“@Riley_Gaines_ You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight-up sore loser,” Biles wrote later that day. “You should be uplifting the trans community and perhaps finding a way to make sports inclusive OR creating a new avenue where trans [people] feel safe in sports. Maybe a transgender category IN ALL sports!!”

She added, “But instead … You bully them … One thing’s for sure is no one in sports is safe with you around!!!!!”

Gaines, in response, said that she found the Olympic gymnast’s comments to be “disappointing.”

“It’s not my job or the job of any woman to figure out how to include men in our spaces,” Gaines replied. “You can uplift men stealing championships in women’s sports with YOUR platform. Men don’t belong in women’s sports, and I say that with my full chest.”

Biles fired back, further defending the transgender community.

Simone Biles’ Most Honest Quotes About Mental Health and Wellness Through the Years: ‘We’re Human’

“Bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male,” Biles wrote, tagging Gaines’ account.

In subsequent tweets and comments, Biles continued to advocate for allyship while Gaines doubled down on her perspective. Neither has further addressed their differing points of view.

Biles, for her part, has long been a supporter of the LGBTIA+ community.

“The world we live in makes me sad, but I’d do x1000000 more commercials with you just to piss everyone off,” Biles wrote via X in November 2020, referring to an Uber Eats commercial she did with nonbinary Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness. “The LGBTQIA will always have my support and feel welcome on my socials.”

Biles’ former teammates also praised her for advocating for others.

“After Tokyo, I said to [Simone], ‘There has to be so many people around the world that were suffering in silence and struggling with their mental health. You have no idea how many of those people you helped,’” retired gymnast Aly Raisman told Sports Illustrated in January. “She helps people feel less alone.”

In addition to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, Biles has also shone a spotlight on mental health awareness. In 2020, she withdrew from the Olympic Games over mental health issues about suffering “the twisties” mid-competition.

“I have to focus on my mental health. I just think mental health is more prevalent in sports right now,” she said at the time. “We have to protect our minds and our bodies and not just go out and do what the world wants us to do.”

Health

Bryce Young's Camp Ignites Memories and Mental Health Conversations

Published

1 day ago

June 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Bryce Young's Camp Ignites Memories and Mental Health Conversations

Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall NFL draft pick, hosted the Young 9 Foundation’s CareSource Football Procamp, emphasizing mental health awareness for youth. Reflecting on his own childhood experiences with legends like Kobe Bryant, he’s committed to providing kids with memorable opportunities. This second annual camp featured Panther coaches and teammates, fostering a supportive environment for campers while instilling the significance of mental health. Young, raised in a household that valued emotional well-being, seeks to eliminate stigma for others and equip them with essential tools.

By the Numbers

This is the second year for the Young 9 Foundation camp in Charlotte.
Young hosted over 100 children at the Procamp.

State of Play

The camp occurred between OTAs and the Panthers‘ minicamp, creating a unique atmosphere amidst the NFL schedule.
Younger players, including teammates and coaches, participated to share insights and support the initiative.

What’s Next

As Young embarks on his third season with the Panthers, he aims to continue expanding the Young 9 Foundation’s reach and influence, with future camps and initiatives focused on youth mental health awareness.

Bottom Line

The Young 9 Foundation’s camp exemplifies Bryce Young’s dedication to mentoring youth and prioritizing mental health, highlighting the importance of giving back and fostering emotional resilience in the next generation.

Health

Olympic great Simone Biles shares mental health journey on first Hong Kong visit

Simone Biles has 11 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship wins. She is considered one of the best gymnasts of all time. Still, even she has to deal with negativity online. “That was hard for me to wrap my head around,” Biles, 28, told the audience during her first visit to Hong Kong last week. […]

Published

2 days ago

June 8, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Olympic great Simone Biles shares mental health journey on first Hong Kong visit

Simone Biles has 11 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship wins. She is considered one of the best gymnasts of all time. Still, even she has to deal with negativity online.

“That was hard for me to wrap my head around,” Biles, 28, told the audience during her first visit to Hong Kong last week.

Reading such harsh words can be difficult, so she has learned to protect herself.

“When I’m not mentally well enough to read the comments, I turn them off or ignore them,” she said. She also reminds herself that many of these people are strangers: “They don’t know me, and they don’t know my character, so how can they judge through a screen?”

Biles spoke to more than 500 students at the one-hour event hosted by UBS. She talked about her record-breaking career and maintaining her mental health under public pressure.

As a professional athlete, taking care of your mental health is just as important as your physical health, Biles explained.

“Elite athletes [face] a lot of mental effort to step onto the big stage and compete for your country. Obviously, it’s such an honour, but it can be really tough,” she said.

More than 500 students came to see Simone Biles on her first visit to Hong Kong. Photo: Handout

Knowing when to step back

The training schedule of a professional athlete is challenging. Biles and her team train 32 to 34 hours a week. They do two workouts on weekdays and one on Saturday, taking only Sunday off.

Considering all this effort, Biles stunned the world at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. She withdrew from several events, including the team final, all-around final, and individual event finals.

The reason for her decision was a mental condition called the “twisties”.

Having the twisties can make gymnasts feel like their rhythm is off and that they are not in control of their movements. It can lead to serious injuries.

Biles looks back on the experience positively. She is proud that she put her mental health first.

Sports psychologist discusses why teen athletes struggle to keep their head in the game

“It’s the most courageous I’ve ever felt,” she said. “The number one reason why I did it was to speak out and stand up for myself. I felt worth more than gold.”

Having a strong support system helped her feel confident about her decision. “My team, my family, the nurses and doctors and the mental health specialists, they all understood,” she said.

“Having people in your circle of trust that help you and you can confide in really, really helps,” she explained. “If I’m ever having a bad day, they let me have bad days, and they cheer me up. On the good days, they still uplift me.”

Biles competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics three years later. She took home three gold medals and one silver.

Simone Biles poses with her gold medal during the podium ceremony after the artistic gymnastics women’s all around final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on August 1, 2024. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS

Meaning of mentorship

Biles is also passionate about supporting children in the foster care community.

She and her siblings entered foster care when she was only three years old. Their biological mom struggled with substance abuse. After a few years, Biles was adopted by her grandfather and his wife.

“I never let what happened to me stop me from believing in my dreams,” she said. “It doesn’t matter how you start; it matters where your journey takes you and how you walk that path.”

For the last few years, she has worked with Friends of the Children. The organisation partners with community organisations, schools, and foster care systems. They pair children in need of long-term, nurturing relationships with an older friend who acts as their mentor.

“A lot of people think that foster kids can’t do great things, but I think we’ve proven over so many years [we can]. Never let that determine who you are,” she said.

‘Fly High’ charity sports programme gets Hong Kong youth moving

Students who listened to her story said they were inspired. Fifteen-year-old Ila Chan has been on the Hong Kong gymnastics team since she was nine. She said her biggest takeaway was learning how to handle high-pressure situations.

“She should keep going because she’s an idol for lots of people around the world,” Ila said.

Lexie Rhodes, 12, has been doing gymnastics for around five years. She said she felt encouraged to recharge. She also learned the importance of letting off steam and taking the time to relax.

Biles appreciates the chance to serve as a role model, especially for young athletes. She offered up a tip for staying motivated and avoiding burnout: make sure you’re always having fun.

“You never know how long your career is gonna last,” she said. “So I would say to just have fun. Dream big, and then dream bigger after that. As long as you’re having fun, you can accomplish anything and love what you do.”

Get the word out

elite 精英

to be highly skilled in a particular field

foster care 寄養照顧

a system in which children who cannot live with their biological family are moved into homes with temporary parents or carers

harsh 刻薄

cruel or unkind behaviour

withdrew 退出

to voluntarily quit a competition or event

confide 傾訴

to share personal thoughts or feelings with someone you trust

Health

Jacksonville mental health counselor talks breaking stigma around men's mental health

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As June marks Men’s Mental Health Month, a Jacksonville mental health counselor talked about ways to break the stigma around the topic. WATCH: Local group works to help men tackle mental, physical health Recommended Videos Mental health can be a tough topic for anyone, but for men, talking about it can feel […]

Published

2 days ago

June 8, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Jacksonville mental health counselor talks breaking stigma around men's mental health

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As June marks Men’s Mental Health Month, a Jacksonville mental health counselor talked about ways to break the stigma around the topic.

WATCH: Local group works to help men tackle mental, physical health

Health

Robert Gallery's long journey with brain trauma reaches a surprisingly happy destination

Robert Gallery’s long journey with brain trauma reaches a surprisingly happy destination | The Gazette Skip to content More Stories 6

Published

2 days ago

June 8, 2025

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Robert Gallery’s long journey with brain trauma reaches a surprisingly happy destination | The Gazette

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Bryce Young Speaks Out on the Stigma That Comes With Mental Health Struggles as an Athlete

Bryce Young has been on a bumpy ride with the Carolina Panthers since being drafted, and it even took a toll on him last season. Unlike many others, the former number one overall pick has decided to speak openly about his mental health struggles. Prompting a conversation that not many fans, players, or coaches want […]

Published

3 days ago

June 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Bryce Young Speaks Out on the Stigma That Comes With Mental Health Struggles as an Athlete

There’s always been a stigma about mental health struggles as an athlete. When Dak Prescott opened up about it in 2020, the response was somewhat deflected by the public. Negative attitudes and biases have seemingly discouraged some athletes of older generations from speaking out. Whether it be something external, like a family issue, or something internal, like their level of play.

It’s no secret that ever since being selected number one overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, Bryce Young has struggled to find his footing. In 28 career starts, he’s won just 6 games. And all of the losses have weighed heavily on him mentally. Young opened up about it while discussing the stigma surrounding the topic.

“There’s definitely been a big stigma around [discussing mental health in] athletics for a long time. For me, I like to deal and live in the truth. I’m super grateful to have my profession. I’m super passionate about it, but we’re all human,” he told GQ Sports.

“People, a lot of times, think that we don’t have the same struggles, we don’t deal with the same things. Our lives, at times, maybe can look different from others, but it’s all a set of circumstances. The makeup of who we are, what we go through from an emotional level, it’s all the same,” he added.

Young explained how he comes from a family that works as therapists and counselors. His father, Craig, is a mental health therapist and played an instrumental role in his upbringing. His mother, Julie, is a former special education teacher who offers Bryce her unwavering support.

Young’s father once explained how important mental health was in their family. “It’s just something that we’ve always paid a lot of attention to,” Craig told CBS Sports. “And we always wanted to provide an environment for Bryce where he felt safe and he felt loved and he felt encouraged irrespective of his outcomes.”

He added: “We provided a safe place for him to express his feelings or sometimes not to express his feelings… that whatever he’s feeling was okay and that we were there to help him problem solve and that through that problem-solving journey he was always loved and we were there for him.”

The style of upbringing seems to be paying off. Young is now on a mission to make mental health a more suitable topic to talk about in NFL culture. Even though most fans don’t want to mention it, the Carolina QB wants to let every kid know that it’s okay to ask for help.

Look, the studies and statistics don’t lie. Between 5% – 35% of elite athletes have some form of mental health disorder. And that’s just the elite ones. Almost everyone goes through the mental obstacle of coming to terms with the idea that they aren’t as good as the elite athletes. Which is an unquantifiable number.

Young’s generation is simply not as afraid to let people know when they aren’t doing okay mentally. And while the stigma has always dissuaded such athletes from speaking out about it, it’s great that Bryce is trying to change that notion. Behind the education from his parents, his status, and his great smile, he could indeed make a difference.