Next Level Mentoring visits Stony Brook

On June 7th, our Next Level Mentoring students paid a visited Stony Brook University to tour the campus and athletic facilities. 

First, Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development and Life Skills/SWA Courtney Rickard led our students through a learning style questionnaire that gauged how our students best learn.  Our students all want to attend college and understanding how they learn will be a vital tool in obtaining success.

Next, Head Men's Basketball Coach, Jeff Boals and three of his players, Elijah Olaniyi, Akwasi Yeboah and Andrew Garcia led a spirited panel discussion with our students.  Some key points Coach Boals touched on were hardwork, have a positive attitude and to listen.  The players spoke about what they could have done better in high school and touched on topics such as time management, procrastination, community service and respect for others.

Associate Athletics Director for Facilities, Operations and Capital Planning, Adam McLeod guided us on a tour of Stony Brook’s amazing athletic facilities, including the Island Federal Credit Union Arena, Dubin Family Athletic Performance Center and the Stony Brook University Broadcast room.

Our students then reconnected with Courtney Rickard who discussed what it took to gain admission into a competitive university like Stony Brook.  Students then discussed the results of their learning style diagnostic, giving them the opportunity to think about the way they learn. She also touched on NCAA requirements for the students who had aspirations to play sports on a collegiate level.  It became clear that working hard in school now will make it much easier in the future!

Finally, they toured the campus, including Frey Hall before heading home after a great opportunity to see the possibilities ahead of them. We are so very grateful to Courtney Rickard, Coach Boals, Adam McLeod, Tiffany Landau and the student-athletes at Stony Brook for being gracious hosts and making this tour possible!