#AEConnects & #BetterTo9ether Beyond Sport Campaigns Highlight Student-Athletes During COVID-19 Pandemic
BOSTON – In the America East Conference, the student-athletes always comes first. That belief has not changed since the COVID-19 pandemic brought the college athletics world to an abrupt halt in mid-March and to help fill void left without live sports, the conference has developed unique content to highlight its special student-athletes through two unique campaigns.
#AEConnects is America East's social media engagement initiative that aims to educate, engage and entertain its stakeholders during this time of uncertainty to help fill the void without athletic events. Additionally, the conference’s SAAC group has driven a #BetterTo9ether Beyond Sport campaign highlighting the league’s mental health initiative and the challenges student-athletes currently face while scattered around the globe.
The content includes #AEConnects Conversations, one-on-one talks with America East current and former student-athletes and coaches doing their part to help battle the pandemic in unique ways. It also features #AEConnects Roundtables that bring together several student-athletes for group discussions as well as a fun competition feature, #AEConnects Challenges, that pit America East teams against each in various games, including Pictionary and trivia. Additionally, the conference office celebrated National Student-Athlete Day by sharing messages of support and love from coaches, administrators and conference staff.
“We thought it was important to help fill the void that was left by canceled sports with carefully crafted content the emphasizes positive messaging and also provides an outlet,” said Sean Tainsh, Associate Commissioner for Content Strategy. “Above all else, we wanted to showcase our amazing student-athletes in unique ways to share some of their inspiring stories and provide an inside look into their lives showcasing their interests and talents away from sports.”
Some of the student-athletes featured include swimmer Stony Brook Sarah Chin, who donated homemade masks to hospitals, former Binghamton women’s soccer player Emma Maslin, a nurse helping vulnerable cancer patients, basketball student-athletes slated to play in the #AEHoops championship games and UAlbany and Stony Brook softball players squaring off in Pictionary. All #AEConnects videos can be viewed in the playlists below.
#AEConnects Conversations
#AEConnects Roundtables
#AEConnects Challenges
The #BetterTo9ether Beyond Sport campaign expanded the league’s mental health initiative, which focuses on creating more mentally healthy environments for student-athletes. With the new challenges facing everyone during this uncertain time, student-athletes shared videos showcasing their unique identity beyond sport and how they are managing to stay positive and focus on their mental health while practicing self-care and coping with the disruption to their lives.
“BetterTo9ether Beyond Sport proves social connection is possible, even during this time, and student-athlete well-being is the priority beyond each athlete’s athletic identity,” said Kailyn Myshrall, Vermont student-athlete and America East SAAC chair. “Mental illness impacts student-athletes of all genders, colors, sexual orientations, abilities, sports and schools. It is a common struggle that crosses all identities, proving we are not alone. BetterTo9ether affirms that no student-athlete is alone in their struggle and America East SAAC is dedicated to continuing the power of this initiative.”
The #BetterTo9ether Beyond Sport campaign will continue as the calendar flips to May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month. Content for the month will also include new #AEVoices features, as well as #3Pillars podcasts centered around mental health.
All #AEConnects and #BetterTo9ether Beyond Sport content can be found on America East’s social media platforms, mainly its @AmericaEast Twitter account with #AEConnects Conversations taking place on Instagram Live via @AmericaEast.
About America East: The America East provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field.
- #3Pillars – Building the Complete Student-Athlete -