VILLANOVA, Pa. – Life lessons can come on and off the field for student-athletes any given day, but the chance to lean into personal and professional development proves just important. The Black Student-Athlete Summit has become an annual trip for members of the Villanova Athletic Department where they can receive that first-hand education and training.

This year, a group of eight student-athletes and two staff members made their way to Chicago for the four-day event that is geared toward equipping athletes and administrators alike with tangible skills, connections and insights to build leadership and support systems.

The Wildcats met up with Villanova Alumni in a networking event that kicked off the week. From there, they engaged in meaningful and purposeful conversations and programming that bolstered their skillset both on campus and beyond their college careers. Throughout the week, they sat in speaking sessions, took part in Pro Day and a Grad/Job Fair to network and meet other like-minded individuals who could offer up encouragement and inspiration through their own professional journeys both in the sports world and in various walks of life.

This year's Summit featured a specific theme that each day was geared towards – Mental Health, Financial Literacy and Professional Development. Two Villanova alumni also led presentations during the event. Former Villanova football player Nowoola Awoneto ('20), currently pursuing his doctorate degree in Psychology at VCU, presented "From the Playing Field to Ph.D: Redefining Athletic Identity and Preparing for Life Beyond Sport" while Assistant AD/UNITAS Leashia Lewis ('00 and '02) presented on the rise of women in sports with "'Now I'm Hot, They All on Me': The women's Sport Boom and College Sport Leadership Decisions and Interests". 

"It is a gift and a blessing to bring student-athletes to what, I know, is a transformative experience intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and mentally," said Lewis. "Further, it allows me to know that as I live in my purpose, I am not alone, and that people dedicated to the advancement and development of our scholar athletes are making an impact. I am thankful to Villanova Athletics for supporting us in attending such life-changing professional and personal development experiences such as the BSAS."

Lewis once again led the contingent of 'Cats on their trip to the Summit. Since first traveling to the Summit in 2022, Villanova has now sent 34 student-athletes to the event representing various sports. UNITAS is thankful for the VSB Davis Fund for Student Experiences, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (CLAS) Inclusive Excellence Grant, Office of Student Involvement Professional Development Grant, and the Waterhouse Family for the ways they supported this year's group that attended this year's summit.

Some of the Wildcats on the trip reflected on why the Black Student-Athlete Summit was impactful to them and what they took away from the week:

"The mental health talk about 'Yourself A1' really stood out to me identify your A1, your situation, your spiritual path, and your routine. It opened the door to my spiritual journey and helped me begin finding inner peace. Attending this gave me more hope in the world it showed me that I can become whatever I want, as long as I have the drive and confidence, especially as a Black man in today's society." – Michael Kennedy, Football

 

"We (athletes) are the game changers in the world." – Derrick Smith, Track and Field

"The lessons will be valuable for the rest of my life, and I can't wait to see how I apply them in my future. Another cool part was talking to people of different walks of life and having things in common with them. Seeing people successful in many different fields prove anything is possible, especially since they are telling you their keys to success." – Jayvont Williams, Football
 

"Be purposeful in everything you do! Be the best at whatever you're doing at the moment. I think in a lot of spaces on campus, there is limited representation of people that look like them. The summit showed our students there are people that look like us in any field they're interested in. Be authentic, be purposeful, go all in on yourself!" – Charles Davis, Office of Academic Support