Redhawks,
Last year, 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
Sense of Belonging: Athletics Kick-Off Event, Homecoming Parade
The annual Athletics Kickoff Event was Sunday, September 19 at Logan Field. It was a great opportunity for the athletics department to welcome all student athletes back to campus. It was also a great time for student athletes to connect with one another. The kickoff event included food, music and games. The student athletes first cheered on the women's soccer team at Championship Field before following Rudy over to Logan Field.
In November, student athletes, along with the Seattle U Dance Team and Drumline, gathered at the O'Brien Center for a pre-Homecoming Parade reception. They then marched together at the parade with fellow student groups. A great time was had with all.
Racial Equity Working Group: National Hispanic Heritage Month, Allyship Workshop, Listening Sessions
During the summer of 2020, the athletics department launched a Racial Equity Working Group (REWG). The mission is that "through education and action, we will advance an athletics community that is anti-racist and inclusively excellent to create a culture that supports and empowers individuals and teams." Shaney Fink, Director of Athletics, leads the group which consists of administrators, coaches and student athletes.
For National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15-October 15, the athletics department posted written reflections and a video featuring Hispanic student athletes.
In October, Ashlee Day, Assistant Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, led an Allyship workshop for the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). The focus of the workshop was being a good ally, someone who has a privilege but chooses to stand for, and with, marginalized communities by taking action. The SAAC representatives role-played being a good ally as they worked through practice scenarios.
In November, student athlete leaders on the REWG held a listening session for all student athletes. These student athletes were trained on how best to lead a listening session, which will occur once a month.
Faculty Engagement: Faculty Appreciation Events
On October 28 (volleyball), October 29 (men's soccer), and November 23 (men's basketball) the teams hosted faculty appreciation events. For the events, student athletes hand-delivered invitations to their favorite professors. Prior to the games, the athletics department sponsored a reception for the professors and their families and guests. At the game, the professors were honored and recognized by the fans in attendance. After the volleyball event, Professor Paul Fontana reflected: "Thank you for the event. It was an honor, and my family and I had a great time!"
Faculty Engagement: Engaging with New Confidence
On November 1, 67 first-year student athletes participated in the annual "Engaging with New Confidence" workshop led by Hilary Flanagan, the Executive Director of the Career Engagement Office, and several upperclass student athlete leaders including Jack Neton. The goals for the training included: (1) introducing oneself, (2) connecting with a classmate, (3) asking questions in class, (4) interacting with a professor during office hours, and (5) engaging with NIL opportunities. Special Guests included Dr. Gabe Saucedo and Dr. Erin Vernon. In a follow-up reflection, one student athlete commented that using the techniques learned had "sparked interesting and engaging conversations with peers."
Community Partnerships: Connecting Campus to the Community
Over the summer, Emily Harson (women's soccer) and Vendela From (women's golf) hosted a Back to School Fundraiser for Seattle U Beta Alpha Psi. This fundraiser was an all-day event with the sole purpose of raising money to buy school supplies and bags for children in need within our own community. During the 24 hours, they raised enough money to buy 72 school supply kits and bags to donate to Bailey Gatzert Elementary School, a school located close to campus which is part of the Seattle U Youth Initiative. After gathering the donations, buying the supplies, making cards for each individual kit, and putting all 72 bags together, they donate them to the school.
In October, the men's and women's tennis teams connected with the Magnuson Children's Garden.The teams worked with horticulturists, preparing the gardens for the coming season. In addition to connecting campus to the community, senior Alisa Sabotic stated that it was "a great bonding experience for the teams," which includes several new first-year teammates. This day of service has become an annual event inspired by head coach Kristina Hollander.
Family Engagement: Student Athlete Parent Workshop
On October 19, as part of the lead up to Seattle U Parent Weekend, the athletics department sponsored a workshop for families and supporters of the student athletes. The theme for the event was maximizing their experience at Seattle U. Presenters included Laurie Prince, Director for Parent Engagement, Eric Guerra, Associate Athletic Director for Student Athlete Services, and Judy Yu, Assistant Athletic Director for Annual Fund.
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 year, 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:
- Athletics Kick-Off Event, Homecoming Parade
- Racial Equity Working Group
- Faculty Appreciation Events
- Engaging with New Confidence
- Connecting Campus to the Community
- Student Athlete Parent Workshop
Robert Matthews
Director -- The Redhawk Experience
Sense of Belonging: Athletics Kick-Off Event, Homecoming Parade
The annual Athletics Kickoff Event was Sunday, September 19 at Logan Field. It was a great opportunity for the athletics department to welcome all student athletes back to campus. It was also a great time for student athletes to connect with one another. The kickoff event included food, music and games. The student athletes first cheered on the women's soccer team at Championship Field before following Rudy over to Logan Field.
Getting the new year started right#TogetherWeSoar pic.twitter.com/MKbxrbPvx5
— Seattle U Athletics (@GoSeattleU) September 20, 2021
In November, student athletes, along with the Seattle U Dance Team and Drumline, gathered at the O'Brien Center for a pre-Homecoming Parade reception. They then marched together at the parade with fellow student groups. A great time was had with all.
Racial Equity Working Group: National Hispanic Heritage Month, Allyship Workshop, Listening Sessions
During the summer of 2020, the athletics department launched a Racial Equity Working Group (REWG). The mission is that "through education and action, we will advance an athletics community that is anti-racist and inclusively excellent to create a culture that supports and empowers individuals and teams." Shaney Fink, Director of Athletics, leads the group which consists of administrators, coaches and student athletes.
For National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15-October 15, the athletics department posted written reflections and a video featuring Hispanic student athletes.
Seattle U student athletes reflect and share personal stories in celebration of #HispanicHeritageMonth
— Seattle U Athletics (@GoSeattleU) October 15, 2021
Full ?? https://t.co/PNhY4UyNbu pic.twitter.com/8Mmd5vMglk
In October, Ashlee Day, Assistant Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, led an Allyship workshop for the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). The focus of the workshop was being a good ally, someone who has a privilege but chooses to stand for, and with, marginalized communities by taking action. The SAAC representatives role-played being a good ally as they worked through practice scenarios.
In November, student athlete leaders on the REWG held a listening session for all student athletes. These student athletes were trained on how best to lead a listening session, which will occur once a month.
Faculty Engagement: Faculty Appreciation Events
On October 28 (volleyball), October 29 (men's soccer), and November 23 (men's basketball) the teams hosted faculty appreciation events. For the events, student athletes hand-delivered invitations to their favorite professors. Prior to the games, the athletics department sponsored a reception for the professors and their families and guests. At the game, the professors were honored and recognized by the fans in attendance. After the volleyball event, Professor Paul Fontana reflected: "Thank you for the event. It was an honor, and my family and I had a great time!"
Faculty Engagement: Engaging with New Confidence
On November 1, 67 first-year student athletes participated in the annual "Engaging with New Confidence" workshop led by Hilary Flanagan, the Executive Director of the Career Engagement Office, and several upperclass student athlete leaders including Jack Neton. The goals for the training included: (1) introducing oneself, (2) connecting with a classmate, (3) asking questions in class, (4) interacting with a professor during office hours, and (5) engaging with NIL opportunities. Special Guests included Dr. Gabe Saucedo and Dr. Erin Vernon. In a follow-up reflection, one student athlete commented that using the techniques learned had "sparked interesting and engaging conversations with peers."
Community Partnerships: Connecting Campus to the Community
Over the summer, Emily Harson (women's soccer) and Vendela From (women's golf) hosted a Back to School Fundraiser for Seattle U Beta Alpha Psi. This fundraiser was an all-day event with the sole purpose of raising money to buy school supplies and bags for children in need within our own community. During the 24 hours, they raised enough money to buy 72 school supply kits and bags to donate to Bailey Gatzert Elementary School, a school located close to campus which is part of the Seattle U Youth Initiative. After gathering the donations, buying the supplies, making cards for each individual kit, and putting all 72 bags together, they donate them to the school.
In October, the men's and women's tennis teams connected with the Magnuson Children's Garden.The teams worked with horticulturists, preparing the gardens for the coming season. In addition to connecting campus to the community, senior Alisa Sabotic stated that it was "a great bonding experience for the teams," which includes several new first-year teammates. This day of service has become an annual event inspired by head coach Kristina Hollander.
Family Engagement: Student Athlete Parent Workshop
On October 19, as part of the lead up to Seattle U Parent Weekend, the athletics department sponsored a workshop for families and supporters of the student athletes. The theme for the event was maximizing their experience at Seattle U. Presenters included Laurie Prince, Director for Parent Engagement, Eric Guerra, Associate Athletic Director for Student Athlete Services, and Judy Yu, Assistant Athletic Director for Annual Fund.
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.