Behind the Uniforms: SCSU Student-Athletes Show Their Personalities at Media Day

As Southern Connecticut State University student-athletes prepare for another season, Media Day gives them an opportunity to step away from competition and show the personalities behind the uniforms.

“We wanted to create an opportunity for Southern’s student-athletes to express themselves as individuals – within a team environment,” Associate Director of Athletics for Athletic Communications Ken Sweeten said. “Media Day is as much of a part of the student-athlete experience as anything else and we wanted it to be as impactful as possible.”

Across SCSU Athletics, athletes from different teams gathered for photos, videos and social media content. While every program has its own identity, Media Day highlighted something they all have in common: the importance of building relationships with the people they compete with.

For coaches and athletes, building a successful team starts long before game day. It begins with getting to know teammates, developing trust and creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable communicating and working together.

“It's always been a good reset, especially if the team's been training hard,” Volleyball Head Coach Lisa Barbaro said. “This definitely helps the team chemistry and is a great team bonding experience.” 

As athletes posed for photos and filmed TikToks, laughter and conversations filled the fieldhouse. Teammates joked with one another between takes, encouraged each other and enjoyed a break from their normal competitive routines.

For returning athletes, Media Day provided another opportunity to strengthen relationships with familiar teammates. For newcomers, it was a chance to become more comfortable with their new teammates and begin creating connections that could carry into the season.

“It’s a good day for them. From the athlete’s perspective it’s always a good feeling to take photos with your teammates and friends.” Assistant volleyball coach Abby Epstein said. 

Those relationships can become especially important once competition begins. Regardless of the sport, SCSU athletes depend on communication and trust. Whether it is making an adjustment during a game, encouraging a teammate after a mistake or holding each other accountable during practice, communication can make a difference when the pressure is on.

The personalities displayed during Media Day also showed that team chemistry does not always come from structured activities. Sometimes, it develops through simple moments—laughing with a teammate, having a conversation or feeling comfortable enough to joke around with one another.

That balance between having fun and staying focused can help shape a team's identity. Athletes can enjoy one another's company away from competition while still understanding the expectations that come with representing SCSU.

As the season approaches, the cameras will eventually be replaced by competition. The laughter around the fieldhouse will give way to practices, games and matches.

But the connections built during Media Day can last beyond the cameras.

Behind every SCSU uniform is a group of athletes learning how to communicate, trust and challenge one another. Media Day captures the personalities of those athletes, but the chemistry they build together could become one of the most important parts of their seasons.

As athletes gear up for another NE10 football season, Media Day gives them a chance to step away from the field and show the personalities behind the helmets. 

Second-year SCSU Football Head Coach Joe Loth brings a new identity to this team by emphasizing team chemistry among the athletes and the new coaches. With new personalities coming together, the team is focused on building connections, embracing each other’s differences, and creating a chemistry that can carry over onto the field. 

“Building the team. That’s always the best part about being a football coach.” Chris Redding, the special teams coordinator, said. 

As athletes posed for photos and filmed TikToks, laughter, conversations, and playful moments filled the fieldhouse, capturing the personality and camaraderie of a team coming together.  

For some, Media Day was a chance to reconnect with familiar teammates, while for others, it was an opportunity to get to know new faces. Nowhere was that mix of personalities more noticeable than along the offensive and defensive lines, where players spend much of the season working together in the middle of the action. These guys brought a different energy to Media Day, constantly joking around and keeping each other laughing between photos and videos. Their playful personalities showed how comfortable they have become with one another, creating an environment where teammates can joke, talk, and enjoy the moment together. 

Usually, these are the guys who are seen as more stoic—serious and intimidating. But not with this team. They’ve built a strong chemistry with one another, knowing when it’s time to be serious and when it’s time to have some fun. When they have free time, the jokes and laughter come naturally, showing a side of the group that isn’t always seen on the field.

“Coach Loth does a great job at team building; we’ve done a lot in training camp.” Redding said. “Every group is different; every group is unique. Finding our identity is important.” 

The laughter and joking may seem like just part of the fun at Media Day, but that chemistry can become valuable once the team steps onto the field. Being comfortable with one another allows the offensive and defensive linemen to communicate, trust each other and hold one another accountable when the game gets serious. The same players who joke around between photos know that when it is time to play, they have to rely on each other.

Communication is especially important along the offensive and defensive lines, where players have to react quickly and trust the person next to them. Whether it’s calling out a defensive assignment, making an adjustment or helping a teammate recognize what is coming, being comfortable speaking with one another can make a difference. The chemistry built through the jokes and conversations off the field can carry over when the pressure is on, allowing the group to communicate with confidence and play as one unit.

Media Day may only last one day, but the connections built during it can last throughout the season. Behind the helmets and pads are teammates who laugh together, challenge one another and continue learning how to work as one. For the offensive and defensive lines, that chemistry could be more than just something seen around the fieldhouse—it could become one of the keys to their success when it is time to step onto the field.