As The Hidden Opponent kicks off the July 2024 Campus Captains application cycle, a few of our current and former Campus Captains share their experience in the program!
Hallie Holland is a former softball player at the College of Idaho who graduated this past year with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She is interested in mental health advocacy because she has seen many of her teammates struggles with mental health, and personally has experiences struggles, and is passionate about making the topic a priority across the athletic community.
Why did you join the Campus Captain program?
I joined the campus captain program so that I could have a platform to get the message out on my campus. I believe in everything that The Hidden Opponent stands for and wanted to be a part of it instead of just standing on the sidelines.
What has been your favorite part of the program?
My favorite part of the program is the community that it has created. I now have connections with other campus captains across the country that all share the same beliefs and passions as I do. I also love the support that everyone gives each other in this program, as we are all advocating for each other's mental health while we advocate for the topic as a whole.
Can you elaborate on some activities or events you participated in or hosted this year, whether that be at your school or through the THO community?
I hosted three different mental health awareness games at my school this year. I was able to host these games for the volleyball, football, and softball teams. This involved putting up posters around the gym/fields, decking out the area in green, teams wearing green ribbons for the game, and having an information table for spectators.
Through the THO community, my favorite event I participated in was spirit week. This was a fun week that brought all of the campus captains together and really got the message out for a whole week straight. It brought a lot of interaction from the community on social media and spread the message in a fun way.
What has been your biggest accomplishment as a CC? What positive changes have you seen on your campus through the program?
My biggest accomplishment as a CC was just being able to spread the message of something I am so passionate about. I was also nominated for my conference's champion of character award. I have seen the conversation grow on my campus through the campus captain program. Even though I may not have made huge visible waves of change, it is the small changes and awareness that I was able to bring to my campus that I am most proud of. I have also noticed a positive impact on my team and the ability of them to prioritize their mental health without feeling judged.
What has been your biggest takeaway from the CC program?
My biggest takeaway from the CC program is that change is happening. Mental health is starting to become more of a priority for athletic programs across the country, and it is organizations like THO that have really sparked this change. I am grateful to have been a part of the change and excited to see the advances in the coming years.
What advice or recommendations do you have for athletes who are interested in applying to the program?
My advice for athletes who are interested in applying for the campus captains program is to dive in head first. This program will allow you to be part of a community that fosters important conversations and a culture of unwavering support. The people in this organization are some of the best ones you'll get to meet. If you want be a part of something great then come ready to learn, grow as a human, and always put your best foot forward.
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