Redhawks,
Last September, Seattle U Athletics publicly launched The Redhawk Experience (TREx). TREx is our distinctly Jesuit and uniquely Seattle U approach to intercollegiate athletics. It informs how we live in community with one another -- it is how we teach, learn, and compete. Built on Ignatian pedagogy, TREx challenges our student athletes to engage, reflect, serve, and prepare. This drives development of the whole person in body, mind, and spirit.
For our student athletes, TREx consists of several programs. Learn more about recent initiatives of TREx in action below:
Robert Matthews
Director -- The Redhawk Experience
Faculty Engagement: Faculty Appreciation Events
Engagement between student athletes and their professors is so important. A recent study identified the student athlete's personal connection with faculty as the number one factor that fosters a "sense of belonging" on campus. We have seen the correlation between one's "sense of belonging" and grit, persistence, retention, and ultimately graduation. These successful student outcomes start with faculty engagement and belonging at Seattle U.
To show their appreciation for all that the faculty do to connect with our student athletes, men's basketball, women's basketball and volleyball hosted Virtual Faculty Appreciation Events during winter quarter.
One student athlete stated: "I am very grateful that I have taken this class. I am excited every day to come to class and learn more. I can't wait to see what is to come for the rest of the quarter, and I am extremely grateful for all the help you have provided for me already in this quarter." In total, 68 professors joined the appreciation events. Several professors commented on how "honored" they were to be invited.
One feature of the events was a "Coach's Chalk Talk." The theme of these talks was to show the faculty how coaches prepare their teams for a game, a similar process of how professors prepare their students to succeed. Below is the "Coach's Chalk Talk" of Michelle Cole, head volleyball coach.
After the events, several professors commented how much they enjoyed the events. One professor stated: "Thank you for doing this. I teach accounting so my classes are very demanding. But my experience at Seattle U has been that our athletes are the best students I've encountered. Keep up the great work!"
Career Preparation: Student Athlete Career Event
On Monday, May 10, student athletes will participate in the annual Redhawk Student Athlete Career Event. This workshop will be led by Hilary Flanagan, the Executive Director of the Career Engagement Office, and her team. The format will be four separate 50-minute sessions via Zoom tailored to the specific interests of each cohort. The central theme of the event is transitions. A panel of former Seattle U student athletes, professors, employers, and members of the Seattle U Career Engagement Office has been assembled for each session. One call to action is for our student athletes to join Redhawk Landing, Seattle U's new community building and networking platform.
Community Partnerships: Redhawk Academic Mentoring Program at Washington Middle School
For several years, student athletes have participated in the Redhawk Academic Mentoring Program (RAMP) at Washington Middle School, a program created by the Center for Community Engagement ("CCE") for scholars and families living in the Seattle U Youth Initiative area. The mission of RAMP is to inspire and keep scholars interested in learning throughout their entire education journey. Through RAMP, mentors serve as role models for the young scholars and connect with them for one-on-one academic and social-emotional mentoring.
LaKesha Kimbrough, the Washington Middle School Site Manager for CCE, likes to say that mentors are holding a safe space/place for the scholars to be themselves free of bias and discrimination that they may face in or outside the classroom. The scholars are a combination of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who are from families who have been historically excluded in education settings, which is why RAMP is so important to help scholars fall in love with learning again. RAMP typically serves scholars and families who identify in some way as a scholar of color. A lot of the scholars and families are first generation, immigrant families, who speak a variety of languages.
This school year, RAMP is virtual. However, that has not lessened the impact of mentorship. Hannah Sjogren, a junior on the women's rowing team, noted that being a mentor has "had such an impact on me and allowed me to deeper understand and reflect on the effect that we have on our scholars and how meaningful our time with them is." LaKesha Kimbrough concluded: "The bond created through mentorships transcends so many social constructs and lines, enriching both of their lives."
Community Partnerships: Virtual Story Time
With the COVID-19 pandemic, traditional in-person service projects with the neighborhood schools have been put on hold. However, that hasn't stop our student athletes from connecting remotely. At the start of the school year, student athletes created video books, made videos demonstrating exercises and stretches to help student stay active, and created "words of encouragement" videos to help students struggling during the pandemic.
During the school year, student athletes participate in Virtual Story Time, reading children's books via Zoom to kindergarten students at St. Anne and St. Joseph Catholic schools. Several teams have participated in this program, including rowing, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball, and track and field. On most days, four or five kindergarten classes join story time. After the books are read, the kindergarten students ask questions of the student athletes.
Molly Thole, kindergarten teacher at St. Anne, stated: "I wanted to thank you for doing this for our students! It has been so nice during this crazy time to feel connected to our community and you have really helped facilitate that. My kids love getting to meet the "big kids" and see that they also love books just like us! Making those real-life connections is so important for our readers and this is another great avenue for those connections. Thank you for all of your work and organization on this, we really appreciate it!"
Rachel Stark, a senior on the volleyball team, reflected: "Virtual Story Time has made me realize how much of an influence we have on younger generations and how much of a role model we really are." Kristin Earnst, a teacher at St. Anne, commented: "Both teachers and students are absolutely loving these reading sessions. The students really look up to these Seattle U student athletes who are having a real impact."
For more about remote community engagement, click here.
Community Partnerships: Bailey Gatzert Elementary School
When Kristina Hollander, first year head men's and women's tennis coach, arrived on campus, one thing she talked about was the importance of being involved in the community. Alisa Sabotic, a junior on the team, heard her coach, reflected upon what she had said, and took action. Below is a video reflection of Alisa describing a day of service for the tennis teams at Bailey Gatzert Elementary School.
Redhawks for Life: Catching Up With Olivia Crawford, '20
What have you been doing since graduating from Seattle U?
Staying extremely busy as a professional basketball player in Iceland and coaching a youth girls basketball team. Yes, Iceland!
As a Seattle U graduate, what are your thoughts now on engage, reflect, serve, and prepare?
It's fefinitely a lifelong habit of learning that I have leaned on since leaving Seattle U.
Engage (the "what") -- Since graduating from Seattle U, I have been on a "beautiful journey."
Reflect (the "so what") -- With the global pandemic which abruptly ended my senior season of basketball and with the Black Lives Matter movement, this all gave me time to "decompress."
Serve (the "now what") -- This past summer, as many of you may know, I spent most of my time on the streets of Seattle and at the podium at different rallies supporting racial justice. I was blessed to always have teammates by my side.
Prepare (lead, evolve, transform, grow) -- I left Seattle in September. I am now living in a small town in Iceland pursuing a professional basketball career. I also coach girls youth basketball team.
Redhawks for Life -- I keep in touch with my former teammates daily as we take turns hosting watch parties of each other's games. Iceland is beautiful, and the people are extremely caring. I feel at home, just like how I felt at SU.
Go Redhawks!
Olivia Crawford, '20
READ: Crawford Signs with Icelandic Pro Club
Time, Talent, and Treasure
There are several ways to support The Redhawk Experience. As alumni and friends of Seattle U, please register for Redhawk Landing and join the Student Athlete Group. This is a great platform to connect with others in the Seattle U community and to mentor student athletes.
Additionally, any financial contributions are greatly appreciated. Your financial support is important for us to continue to sponsor the programs of TREx. Give to TREx today.
Last September, Seattle U Athletics publicly launched The Redhawk Experience (TREx). TREx is our distinctly Jesuit and uniquely Seattle U approach to intercollegiate athletics. It informs how we live in community with one another -- it is how we teach, learn, and compete. Built on Ignatian pedagogy, TREx challenges our student athletes to engage, reflect, serve, and prepare. This drives development of the whole person in body, mind, and spirit.
For our student athletes, TREx consists of several programs. Learn more about recent initiatives of TREx in action below:
- Faculty Appreciation Events
- Student Athlete Career Event
- Redhawk Academic Mentoring Program
- Virtual Story Time
- Bailey Gatzert Elementary School
- Redhawks for Life -- Catching Up With Olivia Crawford, '20
Robert Matthews
Director -- The Redhawk Experience
Faculty Engagement: Faculty Appreciation Events
Engagement between student athletes and their professors is so important. A recent study identified the student athlete's personal connection with faculty as the number one factor that fosters a "sense of belonging" on campus. We have seen the correlation between one's "sense of belonging" and grit, persistence, retention, and ultimately graduation. These successful student outcomes start with faculty engagement and belonging at Seattle U.
To show their appreciation for all that the faculty do to connect with our student athletes, men's basketball, women's basketball and volleyball hosted Virtual Faculty Appreciation Events during winter quarter.
One student athlete stated: "I am very grateful that I have taken this class. I am excited every day to come to class and learn more. I can't wait to see what is to come for the rest of the quarter, and I am extremely grateful for all the help you have provided for me already in this quarter." In total, 68 professors joined the appreciation events. Several professors commented on how "honored" they were to be invited.
One feature of the events was a "Coach's Chalk Talk." The theme of these talks was to show the faculty how coaches prepare their teams for a game, a similar process of how professors prepare their students to succeed. Below is the "Coach's Chalk Talk" of Michelle Cole, head volleyball coach.
After the events, several professors commented how much they enjoyed the events. One professor stated: "Thank you for doing this. I teach accounting so my classes are very demanding. But my experience at Seattle U has been that our athletes are the best students I've encountered. Keep up the great work!"
Career Preparation: Student Athlete Career Event
On Monday, May 10, student athletes will participate in the annual Redhawk Student Athlete Career Event. This workshop will be led by Hilary Flanagan, the Executive Director of the Career Engagement Office, and her team. The format will be four separate 50-minute sessions via Zoom tailored to the specific interests of each cohort. The central theme of the event is transitions. A panel of former Seattle U student athletes, professors, employers, and members of the Seattle U Career Engagement Office has been assembled for each session. One call to action is for our student athletes to join Redhawk Landing, Seattle U's new community building and networking platform.
Community Partnerships: Redhawk Academic Mentoring Program at Washington Middle School
For several years, student athletes have participated in the Redhawk Academic Mentoring Program (RAMP) at Washington Middle School, a program created by the Center for Community Engagement ("CCE") for scholars and families living in the Seattle U Youth Initiative area. The mission of RAMP is to inspire and keep scholars interested in learning throughout their entire education journey. Through RAMP, mentors serve as role models for the young scholars and connect with them for one-on-one academic and social-emotional mentoring.
LaKesha Kimbrough, the Washington Middle School Site Manager for CCE, likes to say that mentors are holding a safe space/place for the scholars to be themselves free of bias and discrimination that they may face in or outside the classroom. The scholars are a combination of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who are from families who have been historically excluded in education settings, which is why RAMP is so important to help scholars fall in love with learning again. RAMP typically serves scholars and families who identify in some way as a scholar of color. A lot of the scholars and families are first generation, immigrant families, who speak a variety of languages.
This school year, RAMP is virtual. However, that has not lessened the impact of mentorship. Hannah Sjogren, a junior on the women's rowing team, noted that being a mentor has "had such an impact on me and allowed me to deeper understand and reflect on the effect that we have on our scholars and how meaningful our time with them is." LaKesha Kimbrough concluded: "The bond created through mentorships transcends so many social constructs and lines, enriching both of their lives."
Community Partnerships: Virtual Story Time
With the COVID-19 pandemic, traditional in-person service projects with the neighborhood schools have been put on hold. However, that hasn't stop our student athletes from connecting remotely. At the start of the school year, student athletes created video books, made videos demonstrating exercises and stretches to help student stay active, and created "words of encouragement" videos to help students struggling during the pandemic.
During the school year, student athletes participate in Virtual Story Time, reading children's books via Zoom to kindergarten students at St. Anne and St. Joseph Catholic schools. Several teams have participated in this program, including rowing, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball, and track and field. On most days, four or five kindergarten classes join story time. After the books are read, the kindergarten students ask questions of the student athletes.
Molly Thole, kindergarten teacher at St. Anne, stated: "I wanted to thank you for doing this for our students! It has been so nice during this crazy time to feel connected to our community and you have really helped facilitate that. My kids love getting to meet the "big kids" and see that they also love books just like us! Making those real-life connections is so important for our readers and this is another great avenue for those connections. Thank you for all of your work and organization on this, we really appreciate it!"
Rachel Stark, a senior on the volleyball team, reflected: "Virtual Story Time has made me realize how much of an influence we have on younger generations and how much of a role model we really are." Kristin Earnst, a teacher at St. Anne, commented: "Both teachers and students are absolutely loving these reading sessions. The students really look up to these Seattle U student athletes who are having a real impact."
For more about remote community engagement, click here.
Community Partnerships: Bailey Gatzert Elementary School
When Kristina Hollander, first year head men's and women's tennis coach, arrived on campus, one thing she talked about was the importance of being involved in the community. Alisa Sabotic, a junior on the team, heard her coach, reflected upon what she had said, and took action. Below is a video reflection of Alisa describing a day of service for the tennis teams at Bailey Gatzert Elementary School.
Redhawks for Life: Catching Up With Olivia Crawford, '20
What have you been doing since graduating from Seattle U?
Staying extremely busy as a professional basketball player in Iceland and coaching a youth girls basketball team. Yes, Iceland!
As a Seattle U graduate, what are your thoughts now on engage, reflect, serve, and prepare?
It's fefinitely a lifelong habit of learning that I have leaned on since leaving Seattle U.
Engage (the "what") -- Since graduating from Seattle U, I have been on a "beautiful journey."
Reflect (the "so what") -- With the global pandemic which abruptly ended my senior season of basketball and with the Black Lives Matter movement, this all gave me time to "decompress."
Serve (the "now what") -- This past summer, as many of you may know, I spent most of my time on the streets of Seattle and at the podium at different rallies supporting racial justice. I was blessed to always have teammates by my side.
Prepare (lead, evolve, transform, grow) -- I left Seattle in September. I am now living in a small town in Iceland pursuing a professional basketball career. I also coach girls youth basketball team.
Redhawks for Life -- I keep in touch with my former teammates daily as we take turns hosting watch parties of each other's games. Iceland is beautiful, and the people are extremely caring. I feel at home, just like how I felt at SU.
Go Redhawks!
Olivia Crawford, '20
READ: Crawford Signs with Icelandic Pro Club
Time, Talent, and Treasure
There are several ways to support The Redhawk Experience. As alumni and friends of Seattle U, please register for Redhawk Landing and join the Student Athlete Group. This is a great platform to connect with others in the Seattle U community and to mentor student athletes.
Additionally, any financial contributions are greatly appreciated. Your financial support is important for us to continue to sponsor the programs of TREx. Give to TREx today.