Sports
Mind Over Matter
May 30, 2025
By Queens University Communications
In 2022, the Queens University of Charlotte women’s rugby team made history, clinching the university’s first National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) Division 2 National Championship. Beyond the physical prowess and strategic plays, one influential element in their victory was the mental fortitude cultivated through mindfulness sessions led by university chaplain, Adrian Bird, Ph.D.
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Bird reflected on his impactful journey with the team, highlighting the integral role of mental preparation in elite athletic performance and overall student well-being.
A former rugby player and coach, Bird’s involvement with the team began organically. “As a new person to Queens, I was really hoping to connect with athletes so that they would get to know me as the chaplain,” he said. “Almost immediately I had the support of their coaching staff and what evolved was a holistic approach to student-athlete welfare, incorporating elements of sports psychology, mindfulness, and mind-body-spirit balance into weekly sessions.”
The tools provided to the athletes focused on developing mental fortitude and positive self-talk. Bird emphasized preparing athletes to enter a game by repeating, “I am enough, I am equipped, I can perform at an elite level. I have the support of my teammates.” This mental remembering, he stressed, allows athletes to “enter with confidence into the zone of elite performance.”
Bird even facilitated a Zoom session with leading sports psychologist Bill Beswick, who has worked with teams including Manchester United and the English rugby team, to further equip the Queens athletes with strategies for mental preparation.
The impact of the weekly sessions became particularly evident during the championship final, which went into extra time. “As I watched the game on the TV, I knew that that team was equipped mentally, even though they were physically exhausted,” Bird said, recalling the tense moments. “I had no doubt at all that they were going to take that game to victory.”
Beyond the rugby field, Bird recognizes the unique mental health challenges faced by college students today. “It can be a very difficult place to be,” he acknowledged, citing external and internal pressures from academics, sports, family, peers, and the pervasive “imposter syndrome.”
Bird’s approach to these challenges is not about “shutting off the noise,” but rather learning to “tune it out so that you can focus on the task at hand in the moment.” He believes these skills, initially honed for athletic performance, translate into valuable life tools for all students navigating the complexities of campus life.
According to Amber Slack, Ed.D., vice president for student affairs and dean of students, a staggering percentage of students experience physical or emotional symptoms due to stress each month.
“My research shows that college students, especially Gen Z, are struggling to cope with the stress of higher education,” Slack stated. “We know that loneliness, depression, and anxiety are real concerns that directly contribute to psychological distress. This makes student well-being an absolutely critical concern for us, demanding our attention and support.”
Addressing the stigma surrounding mental health support, Bird champions the power of visibility and relationship-building. “If I can be on the field, engaging meaningfully with athletes in their training spaces, it builds a level of trust that makes it much easier for them to seek help when needed – on or off the field,” he said. This presence fosters trust, making it easier for students to seek help when needed.
While still deeply connected to the women’s rugby team, Bird hopes to expand his presence across other athletic programs at Queens. His goal is to collaborate with coaches who see the value in integrating mind-body-spirit balance into their teams’ training, allowing him to “build relationships with students and accompany them on their journey throughout their time at Queens.”
For Bird, this work is immensely rewarding. “I see my role as being very special. It’s an incredibly privileged position,” he shared. “The opportunity to be alongside students through the highs and the lows and everywhere in between is something I don’t take lightly.” Witnessing students thrive, both on and off the field, he said, is “incredibly validating for me.”
Beyond the Chaplain’s Office, the Dean of Students Office provides support to students dealing with mental health crises. Confidential counseling services are also provided to students through the Queens University Health & Wellness Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. After hours, virtual counseling and a 24/7 crisis hotline are also available. Additionally, Queens Athletics provides access to a sports psychologist through Atrium Health. Student-athletes do not need a referral and can initiate scheduling through their athletic trainer or by calling 704-512-7578.
The resources provided to students exemplify Queens’ commitment to supporting the holistic well-being of its students. By integrating mental health practices into the student experience, the university empowers its students not only to achieve peak performance in their chosen fields but also to develop resiliency for life’s broader challenges.

Sports
ECAC Announces 2025 Division III Women’s Volleyball All-ECAC and Major Awards
ECAC Announces 2025 Division III Women’s Volleyball All-ECAC and Major Awards
DANBURY, Conn. – The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has announced its 2025 Division III Women’s Volleyball All-ECAC Teams and major awards.
Kean University brought home two awards this year as Ashley Torok won Rookie of the Year and Don Perkins won Coach of the Year. They are joined by Gwen Eustace from Salisbury University and Bella Demers from William Paterson University as Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive of the Year, respectively.
Gwen Eustace – Salisbury University, MB
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Bella Demers – William Paterson University, Libero
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Ashley Torok – Kean University, Outside Hitter
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Don Perkins – Kean University, Head Coach
ECAC Division III Women’s Volleyball All-ECAC First Team
Gwen Eustace – Salisbury University, Sr., MB
Hannah Smith – Virginia Wesleyan University, Gr., OH
Cadence Jones – PSU Behrend, So., OH
Kai Fitzpatrick – NJCU, Jr., OH
Jadyn Orava – John Jay College, So., OH
Niya Nash – Virginia Wesleyan University, Jr., S
Bella Demers – William Paterson University, So., L
ECAC Division III Women’s Volleyball All-ECAC Second Team
Cayley Elena Morrison – Kean University, Jr., MH
Molly Mishinkash – Juniata College, So., MH
Shannon McGrath – Union College, So., OH
Maggie Hayes – Juniata College, Jr., MH
Loren Hernandez – Manhattanville University, Sr, OH
Aspen O’Brien – Kean University, Sr., S
Megan Wright – Utica University, Jr., L
ABOUT THE ECAC
The ECAC is an eighty-six year old intercollegiate athletics organization with roughly 200 member schools for traditional sports across all three NCAA Divisions – I, II and III – that exists to enhance the experience of student-athletes participating in NCAA sports, and provide great value for universities, by sponsoring championships, leagues, bowl games, tournaments and other competitions throughout the country. The ECAC also hosts a comprehensive esports program, with over 300 schools, 4,000 teams and 10,000-plus participants in twenty-four different games titles.
STAY CONNECTED
Stay updated on the latest news, championships and more by connecting with the ECAC on Facebook (ECACSports), Twitter (@ECACSports) and Instagram (@ECACSports).
Sports
Indoor Track and Field Weekly Awards – Dec. 10
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – EKU, West Georgia and Queens claimed this week’s Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) Men’s Indoor Track and Field honors while EKU and West Georgia earned this week’s Women’s honors, announced Wednesday by the league office.
EKU’s Taha Er Raouy was named Men’s Track Performer of the Week. The 2025 ASUN Cross Country Individual Champion finished sixth in the 3,000 meters at the BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener. Er Raouy competed in a field of collegiate and professional athletes. He is currently ranked fourth in the nation in the 3K after his performance of 7:40.56. The Colonels’ Daryoce Flemons and West Georgia’s Isaiah McMichael were both named Field Athlete of the Week. Flemons took first place in the weight throw at the KTCCCA Commonwealth Opener. He threw a school-record 17.81 meters. McMichael competed in the high jump at the KTCCCA Commonwealth Opener. He claimed first place with a 2.00-meter jump. Queens’ Oliver Cooper was named Freshman of the Week. He took sixth place in the men’s mile at the Visit Winston-Salem College Kick Off. His 4:17.87 mile is currently ranked first in the ASUN.
EKU’s Edna Chelulei earned Women’s Track Performer of the Week after she ran 15:42.14 in the 5K. Her performance at the BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener marked a new school indoor record. Kristan Simmons was named Field Performer of the Week. She took first place in the women’s weight throw. Her 17.28-meter throw marked a new school record for EKU. Kellie Walker earned Freshman of the Week after earning two top-5 finishes for the Wolves on the weekend. She ran 25.66 seconds in the 200M to earn third place then followed with a 7.77-second 60m to claim fifth.
Men’s Track Performer of the Week
Taha Er Raouy, EKU
Other Nominees: Trey Leggins, Queens; Gavin Barlow, West Georgia.
Men’s Field Performer of the Week
Daryoce Flemons, EKU and Isaiah McMichael, West Georgia
Other Nominees: Justin Davis, Lipscomb; Josiah Ford, Queens.
Men’s Freshman of the Week
Oliver Cooper, Queens
Other Nominees: Tola Taiwo, Bellarmine; KeShawn Allen, Lipscomb; Juliam Mays, West Georgia.
Women’s Track Performer of the Week
Edna Chelulei, EKU
Other Nominees: Regan Watts, Lipscomb; Rowan Shannon, Queens; Chloe Leblanc, West Georgia.
Women’s Field Performer of the Week
Kristan Simmons, EKU
Other Nominees: Madelyn Kocik, Austin Peay; Amelia Svidal, Bellarmine; Vesna Kljajevic, Queens; Dru Green, West Georgia.
Women’s Freshman of the Week
Kellie Walker, West Georgia
Other Nominee: Kacie Bailey, Queens.
2025 Season Award Winners
Men’s
Dec. 10 | Track: Taha Er Raouy, EKU; Field: Daryoce Flemons, EKU and Isaiah McMichael, West Georgia; Freshman: Oliver Cooper, Queens
Women’s
Dec. 10 | Track: Edna Chelulei, EKU; Field: Kristan Simmons, EKU; Freshman: Kellie Walker, West Georgia
Sports
Track & Field Continues December At Wagner College Seahawk Shootout
Men’s Track & Field | 12/11/2025 9:33:00 AM
SEAHAWK SHOOTOUT HISTORY
The 2025-26 season marks only the second time that Saint Francis will be participating in the Wagner College Seahawk Shootout. The meet has been an annual event since the 2015-16 campaign. Last year, Sevison took first place in weight throw as a part of 16 top 10 finishes for the Red Flash.
LAST EVENT
The women’s team accumulated seven top 10 performances. Olivia Renk finished second in the 200-meter and fourth in the 60-meter on the women’s side. The sophomore clocked in a time of 25.46 in the 200-meter and a 7.72 time in the 60-meter. In the women’s long jump, Taylor Foster finished in fifth place in the event with a jump of 5.29m. Foster also claimed eighth place in the women’s triple jump with 10.63m. Aubrie Wells and Karsyn Ford both finished with 3.25m to tie for eighth place. Rounding out the top 10 finishes was Rylee Nicklas taking 10th in the women’s weight throw with a toss of 14.22m.
On the other side, the men’s team registered 12 top 10 finishes on the day. Jayden Foster took eighth place in the men’s 200-meter dash with a time of 22.81. Meanwhile, Tyler Craft claimed the ninth spot with a time of 37.08 in the 300-meter. Craft jumped his way into second place in the long jump with 6.94m. Staying in the meter dashes, James Parmelee (1:10.38) took third and Holden Schreier finished seventh (1:12.90) in the men’s 500-meter. Two more Red Flash placed top 10 in the high jump, Ayden Martinage (8th, 1.85m) and Braydon Beach (10th, 1.80m).
Running over to the pole vault, Dylan Andrews finished with a jump of 4.25 to give himself seventh place. Clark Gulycz took fourth in the men’s shot put with a mark of 17.07m. Saint Francis took another two top 10 finishes, this time in the men’s triple jump. Nehemyah Williams gained third place with a leap of 14.35m. Ian Conway was not far behind him in seventh with 12.54m. Vincent Franco finished out the Red Flash in sixth place with a time of 15.94m.
NEC PRESEASON POLL
Saint Francis women’s track & field was picked fifth in the NEC Preseason Poll. Wagner earned five first-place votes and earned the distinction of being the preseason favorite. Stonehill and CCSU both gained two first-place nods to finish in second and third place. Chicago State gained the last vote for first-place, finishing in fourth. After the Red Flash in fifth place, FDU, LIU, New Haven, Mercyhurst, and Le Moyne round out the ten-team poll.
Saint Francis men’s track & field was picked seventh in the NEC Preseason Poll. CCSU earned eight first-place votes and earned the distinction of being the preseason favorite. Wagner gained one first-place vote to finish in second. Stonehill and Chicago State were picked to finish in third and fourth. FDU and LIU were both tied in fifth place, however, LIU earned the last vote for first-place. After the Red Flash in seventh place, New Haven, Le Moyne, and Mercyhurst round out the ten-team poll.
NEXT UP FOR RED FLASH
Saint Francis will take some time off until January 17 when it will attend the Nittany Lion Challenge located at University Park, Pa.
Sports
UT Seeks Private Developers for Multipurpose Arena, Student-Athlete Housing – UT Austin News
AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas at Austin has issued a request for proposal (RFP) to seek private developer(s) to plan, design, construct, equip, finance and operate a small multipurpose public arena to serve as the competition home for the Longhorns’ four-time National Champion Women’s Volleyball and an adjacent student-athlete housing facility, with minimal financial outlay from the University. The project will encompass approximately 4 acres in the Athletics and Entertainment District of UT’s main campus, located north of East MLK Jr. Boulevard between Robert Dedman Drive and Interstate 35.
“It is important for us to be strategic about how we use our space and how our students and visitors engage with our campus,” said UT President Jim Davis. “This is a unique development that will enhance the University’s athletics facilities and housing portfolio and benefit students, Longhorn fans and our city for years to come. I am grateful to our Board of Regents for their support for our vision.”
The arena aims to seat approximately 6,000 fans, with the flexibility to expand seating for concerts, shows and University events that complement the adjacent Moody Center. The student-athlete housing facility is envisioned to provide a best-in-class housing experience for the University’s student-athletes that reflects UT’s commitment to recruiting and developing premier talent. Additionally, it could provide ground-level retail opportunities that will enhance the campus, community, and visitors’ experience.
“This is a critical step for the future of Texas Volleyball and our student-athletes’ housing experience,” said Athletics Director Chris Del Conte. “It is about creating an experience that our student-athletes, coaches and passionate fans will be proud of in the heart of a district built for elite talent and entertainment.”
The RFP seeks private developers who have successfully developed and operated best-in-class, multipurpose public arenas, student housing and retail facilities, and who have the financial capability to contribute all or a substantial portion of the cost to develop, build and operate the new facilities. Under the proposed public-private collaboration, UT would own both the arena and student-athlete housing properties, and an outside entity would operate them.
UT issued the RFP Dec. 10 after the UT System Board of Regents authorized it last month. The 2033 Higher Education Development Foundation will lead the RFP process, and developer(s) will have the option to submit proposals for both or each facility by Feb. 6. The specific timeline and financial arrangement between the University and developer(s) will be determined through negotiations before any agreement is reached.
Sports
2025 AVCA Division I All-Americans for NCCAA
The AVCA is please to name its 2025 All-America teams for NCCAA Division I women’s volleyball.
There are two seven-member All-America teams, a first team and a second team, and the 14 student-athletes chosen in 2025 represent 10 different NCCAA schools. Cedarville University leads the way with three All-Americans, and Columbia International University and Ottawa University Arizona each have two All-Americans.
2025 NCCAA Division I All-Americans

Sports
Who made 2025 Journal & Courier Big Schools All-Area Volleyball team?
Dec. 11, 2025, 4:02 a.m. ET
LAFAYETTE ― The Journal & Courier recognizes the 14 best volleyball players 4A and 3A to be voted onto the All-Area Big Schools team.
Here are the top players and members who were selected to the 2025 Journal & Courier All-Area team, as voted on by coaches.
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