Six Years Strong

By Kaylin Moriarty
Special to UNHWildcats.com

Wildcats came together on April 7 to participate in the sixth annual Bench Out the Stigma, an event that draws awareness to mental health in college students, hosted by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

The Jerry Azumah Performance Center was filled with student-athletes ready to participate in weightlifting competitions and have meaningful conversations about the importance of mental health.

This year's event was extra special as former SAAC member and UNH alum Nelson Sacco-Thomas made an appearance alongside his wife, Baylee Sacco-Thomas, who is also a UNH alum. Six years ago, Nelson helped to create Bench Out the Stigma and returned to his alma mater to speak about what the event meant to him.

"I started this event as a space for athletes to articulate the things we are going through and be a place where we can have conversations about mental health as we do the things that we love," explained Sacco-Thomas. "I am really happy that this has been carried forward and honored that everyone decided our foundation is meaningful enough to donate the proceeds to."

Advocacy has remained important to the couple after graduating from UNH and together they have created the Sacco-Thomas Foundation, which spreads awareness about Early Onset Alzheimer's (EOA). SAAC raised $300 at this year's Bench Out the Stigma and all proceeds were donated to the Sacco-Thomas Foundation.

Ande Allison, UNH women's soccer student coach and co-president of SAAC, shared that SAAC was excited to have Nelson return to campus for Bench Out the Stigma.

"It means a lot that athletes show up six or seven years after the event and still want to participate, it means everything," said Allison.

SAAC looks forward to making the Sacco-Thomas Foundation an annual partner for this event and supporting UNH alumni while drawing awareness to mental health, explained Allison.

After hearing from Sacco-Thomas, athletes headed over to the weight benches to compete for the most reps and most weight benched. Sally Rainey, UNH women's soccer goalkeeper, and Huck Flanagan, a member of the UNH football team, tallied the most reps. Kelly Kaufmann of UNH volleyball and Jacoby Sherard of UNH football were recognized for lifting the most weight.

The planking competition was won by Erik Lauta of UNH men's soccer and Zoe Michael of the UNH ski team. Each year SAAC also recognizes the most enthusiastic team at Bench Out the Stigma and this year the UNH swim and dive team claimed that title.

Winners of the various competitions received prizes ranging from Kostal Kooks merchandise to gift cards from Fry'd, Wildcat Pizza and Dunkin'.

The event was a success in the eyes of SAAC and Allison expressed hopes for Bench Out the Stigma to continue growing each year.

"My goal is to every year make it bigger, bigger and bigger," said Allison.

Evan Gray, assistant athletic director for student-athlete wellness and academic support services, echoed this sentiment as he explained the true importance of Bench Out the Stigma.

"This event is always important, mental health is such an important issue with athletes, so making sure to provide spaces where they feel comfortable and have support is always necessary," said Gray.

To learn more about #WildcatsCare presented by Kennebunk Savings go here.

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Six Years Strong

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