Washington State University Athletics
WSU Week of Engagement
September 03, 2020 | WSU Athletics
PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University Week of Engagement looked a bit different in 2020 as student-athletes saw three event opportunities presented via Zoom this past week.
"Though we hoped to welcome student-athletes back in person, we are grateful for the opportunity to hear from Coug Alum Collin Henderson," said Shelby McKay, WSU Assistant Director of Athletics, Student-Athlete Development. "Collin's message set the tone on how to tackle this new school year of challenges. It was wonderful to see hundreds of our student-athletes virtually, and I am excited to find ways to stay engaged with our student-athlete community."
The week began Tuesday, August 25 with the session, The Cougar Pursuit, which was available for all WSU student-athletes to attend.
Session two of the week took place Wednesday, as past student-athlete Collin Henderson (baseball, football) spoke to all student-athletes about the importance of a positive mindset and building mental toughness skills, along with an opening welcome statement from Director of Athletics Pat Chun.
Bringing back former student-athletes is a consistent theme of Week of Engagement. In past years, Mike Utley and Rueben Mayes spoke to the student-athletes.
"Even in a virtual setting of the Week of Engagement our student-athletes have shined bright and exemplified what it means to be a Coug," said Derrick Mitchell, WSU Coordinator, Student-Athlete Development and Wellbeing. "Tuesday we began with Student-Athlete Development Virtual Office Hours offering our student-athletes a space to discuss personal, leadership and career development as well as our new 'Cougar Pursuit' program opportunity."
"We followed that up on Wednesday with a Welcome Back address from our AD Pat Chun and a keynote on mental toughness in the face of adversity lead by Cougar Alumni Collin Henderson," Mitchell continued. "Lastly Thursday we hosted an International Student-Athlete Welcome to help foster a sense of community and provide education from Cody Tornow, Lead International Student Advisor with the Office of International Programs."
Additionally current student-athlete Dallas Hobbs (football) designed the back cover of the student-athlete planner for this year. Hobbs is the creative director for the Black Student Athlete Association, and a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and a PAC counselor. Dallas has made the most of using his talents off the field, working an internship with the Cougar Athletic Fund as well.
For more information and to join the Cougar Athletic Fund (CAF), the fundraising arm of the Washington State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, please visit cougarathleticfund.com or on Twitter at @CougarAthFund. To learn more about the Student-Athlete Wellbeing Department at WSU Athletics, please follow along on Twitter at @WSUCougarSADev.
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"Though we hoped to welcome student-athletes back in person, we are grateful for the opportunity to hear from Coug Alum Collin Henderson," said Shelby McKay, WSU Assistant Director of Athletics, Student-Athlete Development. "Collin's message set the tone on how to tackle this new school year of challenges. It was wonderful to see hundreds of our student-athletes virtually, and I am excited to find ways to stay engaged with our student-athlete community."
The week began Tuesday, August 25 with the session, The Cougar Pursuit, which was available for all WSU student-athletes to attend.
Session two of the week took place Wednesday, as past student-athlete Collin Henderson (baseball, football) spoke to all student-athletes about the importance of a positive mindset and building mental toughness skills, along with an opening welcome statement from Director of Athletics Pat Chun.
Bringing back former student-athletes is a consistent theme of Week of Engagement. In past years, Mike Utley and Rueben Mayes spoke to the student-athletes.
"Even in a virtual setting of the Week of Engagement our student-athletes have shined bright and exemplified what it means to be a Coug," said Derrick Mitchell, WSU Coordinator, Student-Athlete Development and Wellbeing. "Tuesday we began with Student-Athlete Development Virtual Office Hours offering our student-athletes a space to discuss personal, leadership and career development as well as our new 'Cougar Pursuit' program opportunity."
"We followed that up on Wednesday with a Welcome Back address from our AD Pat Chun and a keynote on mental toughness in the face of adversity lead by Cougar Alumni Collin Henderson," Mitchell continued. "Lastly Thursday we hosted an International Student-Athlete Welcome to help foster a sense of community and provide education from Cody Tornow, Lead International Student Advisor with the Office of International Programs."
Additionally current student-athlete Dallas Hobbs (football) designed the back cover of the student-athlete planner for this year. Hobbs is the creative director for the Black Student Athlete Association, and a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and a PAC counselor. Dallas has made the most of using his talents off the field, working an internship with the Cougar Athletic Fund as well.
For more information and to join the Cougar Athletic Fund (CAF), the fundraising arm of the Washington State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, please visit cougarathleticfund.com or on Twitter at @CougarAthFund. To learn more about the Student-Athlete Wellbeing Department at WSU Athletics, please follow along on Twitter at @WSUCougarSADev.
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