My name is Nick Kennedy, and I am from Evanston, Illinois. I am a sophomore at the University of Dubuque majoring in Sports Marketing and Management and a player for the men’s basketball team. I have loved so many sports over the course of my life but fell in love with basketball. It was not just the sport itself that I fell in love with, it was all the lessons it taught me– how to be a better student, role model, older brother, leader, friend, etc. As a student-athlete it can be incredibly stressful when you are trying to balance so many things at once and that is why you have to make sure you are taking care of your mental, physical, and emotional health as best as you can. I believe taking care of your physical and mental health is so vital for student-athletes because without proper awareness, students may not recognize the signs of poor mental health or might be afraid to talk to someone about it. By fostering awareness, campuses can help reduce stigma, encourage students to seek help, and create healthier, more supportive learning environments. I am extremely grateful and blessed to be able to share my story along with being an advocate for physical and emotional health at the University of Dubuque!
