Ian Allen is a 2024 Olympic Trials swimmer from Commerce Twp, Michigan, who swam at Oakland University. Allen is not only an accomplished swimmer—in February, he and his teammates made national news after supporting their fellow Oakland student-athletes at a basketball game. They did this by (*checks notes*) shaving his head in front of the opposing team to create a distraction during a free throw, while shirtless, wearing their swimsuits. Spoiler alert: the opposing team still made the shot, but the act was still an iconic moment for school spirit in collegiate athletics.
Allen became interested in mental health advocacy because in lieu of all the resources available to student athletes, he believes that there is an underlying stigma that prevents athletes from reaching out and seeking help. He states, “I personally have been affected by the stigma and want to work as hard as I can to enforce a strong message that it’s okay to seek help, and that seeking help is a form of strength.”
Why did you join the Campus Captains program?
I joined the campus captain program because of the lack of attention and resources our university administration gave to students for mental health. I also joined to further promote conversations surrounding mental health and bring awareness to the amazing resources that the athletic side of our University provides, and eliminating the stigma that prevents student-athletes from feeling like they can access these resources in the first place.
What is your favorite part of the program?
Not only does it help student athletes feel normal in their struggles and offers additional support to this community, but it also provides resources, seminars, and panels to the Campus Captains themselves. I think this sends a strong message about the fact that The Hidden Opponent advocates for the mental health of student athletes within and outside of the organization. Simply being a campus captain is a resource in and of itself.
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 an event called “Mindful Mondays”. This event was a bi-weekly, guided meditation session led by our meditation trained coaches, athletic faculty, and administrators. This event was funded and supported by Student Congress, supported by SAAC, The Hidden Opponent, and a mental health group called HOMES on campus.
What has been your biggest accomplishment as a CC? What positive changes have you seen on your campus through the program?
I was able to use my leverage as a Campus Captain and my positioning as Speaker of the Legislature in Student Congress to sponsor legislation that gave $20,000 to the Counseling Center. This legislation got approved unanimously, and it serves as an “Emergency Fund” for students to use to pay for their sessions after the 4 free sessions our university provides, therefore giving our entire student body paid-for counseling sessions for approximately 2 years.
What has been your biggest takeaway from the CC program?
The title “Campus Captain” gives an individual a lot of leverage to work with campus administrators, coaches, and faculty to promote wide-scale changes for mental health on campus. The amount of leadership that is established with merely the title of being campus captain allowed me to bring together communities on campus through the topic of mental health and the stigmas surrounding it. Being a campus captain allowed me to be a key figure in the awareness and advocacy I did for mental health on campus.
What advice or recommendations do you have for athletes who are interested in applying to the program?”
A message that I’ve always resounded with is “do things that will make you not better at one specific thing, but as a human being as a whole”. I can confidently say that the Campus Captain program has not only provided the resources and confidence that I need for my own mental health and for mental health advocacy; it has also made me a better person and has built my character in several ways. I highly recommend it.
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