‘TAKING MACTION’ SUMMIT COMING FEB. 3RD TO CLEVELAND;
FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS AND DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference is ‘Taking MACtion’ on Monday, Feb. 3rd with an all-day summit to emphasize student-athlete well-being with the focus of mental health awareness education and support and diversity & inclusion at the Cleveland Renaissance Hotel.
The ‘Taking MACtion’ summit will feature the fourth time in Conference history to bring membership together to focus on mental health awareness, and the second time in league history to collaborate with membership regarding diversity and inclusion issues. The previous MAC Mental Health Summits were held in 2016, 2017 and 2019, while the MAC Diversity & Inclusion Summit was previously held in 2018.
‘Taking MACtion’ will combine both mental health awareness and diversity & inclusion initiatives with a theme focus of identifying and discussion of anti-bullying at the request of the MAC Council of Student-Athletes (COSA). Membership will hear from special guest speakers and participate in round table discussion and interactive workshops.
The interactive discussion by participants will include best practices and challenges in creating an inclusive culture that recognizes bullying and moves to create understanding and inclusive culture. Participants will also discuss the relational component of interactions and how to best understand and develop strategies to establish healthy, communicative relationships.
“‘Taking MACtion’ is a place to focus engaging conversations on a topic at the forefront of our society,” said Mel Koziol, Ohio University senior cross country/track & field student athlete. “I look forward to representing my university at a summit that fosters the physical and mental well-being of student-athletes in the Mid-American Conference. Creating opportunities for this conversation is another step towards breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.”
A panel discussion including a head football coach, current student-athlete, an athletics administrator and an institutional vice president of student affairs will focus on personal dealings with bullying with a discussion of personal experiences, challenges and success stories in recognizing and stopping bullying.
“I am very excited to be a part of this year’s ‘Taking MACtion’ Summit. Not every conference has the opportunity to join together and focus on student-athlete initiatives they would like to improve for the entire conference. I’m really looking forward to sharing and hearing ideas from other schools in our Conference about how to create the best experience for all student-athletes,” said Ethan Good, Bowling Green State University men’s basketball student-athlete, NCAA SAAC Vice President and MAC COSA President.
Guest speakers include:
• Dr. Vincent Caringi, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
• Dr. Chelsi Day, Ohio State University, Clinical and Sport Psychologist
• D’Ann Keller, University at Buffalo, Senior Associate Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator
• Tom Arth, University of Akron, Head Football Coach
• Lexi Robinson, Central Michigan University, Track & Field Student-Athlete
• Dr. Phillip ‘Flapp’ Cockrell, University of Toledo, Vice President of Student Affairs
• Josh Cribbs, Former Kent State University Football Student-Athlete
• Ethan Good, Bowling Green State University, Basketball Student-Athlete, NCAA SAAC Vice President, MAC COSA President
Mental Health Awareness:
The first concept of a Mental Health Summit originated from the MAC’s Mental Health Task Force which presented its recommendations at the MAC Joint Council meeting in May, 2015.
“I applaud the efforts of our member institutions and their dedication to ensuring that the student-athlete voice is heard,” said MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher. “Our student-athletes are focused on changing the culture around issues of mental health and our administrators and staff are committed to the “It’s ok to not be ok” initiative begun five years ago by the student-athletes. The membership continues to dedicate resources and provide assistance in the area of mental well-being. There is great work being done and it is due to a tremendous collaborative effort.”
MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher created the MAC Mental Health Task Force in 2013 in order to review and analyze student-athlete mental health and well-being at MAC membership campuses. The MAC Mental Health Task Force, now a standing Student-Athlete Well-Being Committee, presented findings and results to MAC membership in May, 2015, and recommended a three-pronged approach to the mental health issues of students to include proactive actions, best practice recommendations and follow-up protocol with appropriate personnel.
These recommendations mirror the NCAA Mental Health Best Practices that were endorsed by the MAC following the 2016 MAC Mental Health Summit. The MAC Joint Council approved the recommendations and MAC membership has been implementing these recommendations since their endorsement.
‘Taking MACtion’ also falls as part of the MAC Mental Health Awareness Week, a COSA initiative with support of membership administrations to bring awareness to mental health issues.
MAC Diversity & Inclusion:
The MAC announced one of the most comprehensive Diversity & Inclusion Programs in Division I intercollegiate athletics in November of 2016. This included six initiatives – a Conference Diversity & Inclusion Statement, 25 new annual internships, a mentoring program, a bi-annual summit, a resource webpage and an annual awards platform.
“I am pleased to see our membership take a leadership position and embrace an action plan in the area of diversity and inclusion. This is the appropriate goal and one which will foster a more inclusive environment,” added Steinbrecher.
The MAC hosted its first-ever Diversity & Inclusion Summit in 2018 and this focus continues with ‘Taking MACtion’ on Feb. 3, 2020.
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Founded in 1946, the Mid-American Conference is an NCAA Division I, 12-member conference that sponsors 23 championships and is one of 10 members of the Football Bowl Subdivison (FBS). With total enrollment of nearly 300,000 students, the league represents institutions of higher learning in five states - Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, and Ohio.
Current MAC schools and the year they joined are -- East Division: University of Akron (1992), Bowling Green State University (1952), University at Buffalo (1998), Kent State University (1951), Miami University (1947), Ohio University (1946). West Division: Ball State University (1973), Central Michigan University (1971), Eastern Michigan University (1971), Northern Illinois University (1975-86, rejoined in 1997), University of Toledo (1950), Western Michigan University (1947). The conference office is based in Cleveland, Ohio.
