Deana Garner, Inclusive Excellence and Title Nine Officer for Sun Devil Athletics, leads these programs.
“When it comes to Pitchfork programs, I work for several months with campus colleagues and others to offer workshops on domestic violence or healthy and unhealthy relationships,” Garner said. “In addition, in the spring and in April, we offer training on the prevention of sexual assault for women. »
The programs are meant to be focused on student-athletes, as this demographic has a different college and life experience than most other ASU students. Although the topics covered are serious, they are intended to introduce student-athletes to real-life issues and educate them on how to deal with these issues.
Other programs focus on mental health, nutrition, cultural celebrations and heritage months.
“Our very first big Pitchfork program that we had at the beginning of the year was about mental health,” Garner said. “We try to remind student-athletes that they are a multi-faceted person, not just an athlete. They are students and athletes, and they are also part of this wonderful community.
These programs also encourage civic and community engagement among student-athletes, such as voter registration and volunteer work, to prepare them for post-college life, whether or not they remain athletes.
