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SCSU Athletics Hosts Mental Health Event With Former Olympian Charles Clark

General

SCSU Athletics Hosts Mental Health Event With Former Olympian Charles Clark

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Southern Connecticut State University invited former Olympic track stand-out Charles Clark to campus to speak about mental health, overcoming anxiety while encouraging student-athletes to reach their potential.

Clark was a three-time National Champion, 10-time All-American and the sixth fastest man in the world and on his way national prominence before an injury sidelined his career. After volunteering as a motivational speaker for a year, Clarke created his "Thrive Events", with the goal of helping people become mentally strong, improving habit, discovering purpose, vision creation and goal setting.

"My biggest take-away was definitely having a whole new attitude towards going forward with my rehab as an athlete," field hockey sophomore Josephine Nolet said. "I think it [his message] brings a a lot of hope into being back into my sport and being the best that I can."

Southern's student-athletes packed the Lyman Center for the hour-long conversation with Clark, who engaged with student-athletes directly, fielded questions and spoke with several Owls following his presentation.

"When you talk about creating this competitive, social experience…and it's been on our minds lately and, more importantly, it needs to be – mental health is imperative for success," director of athletics Chris Barker said. "Events like this really do shape that competitive mindset for our student-athletes and more-so, that well-being mindset that they can thrive, matter and succeed here at Southern."

Clark spoke extensively on self-reflection and realizing his own potential, and how imperative it was for people to understand that in order to succeed.

"The message I hope our student-athletes heard was how important it is to be able to self-reflect on how you're doing daily and being able to take that information and transform it into making you able to thrive," Barker said. 
 
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