More Than A Game

Dr. Jessica Bartley

United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee Director of Mental Health

Brittney Sykes

Current WNBA Player

Resa Lovelace

Founder & President, RBL Theory

Resa Lovelace is the Founder and President of RBL Theory, LLC. She is a brilliant mind for consultations, an effective leader and engaging speaker. Lovelace has gained experience as a Social Justice Consultant and Educator over her eleven (11) years of work in Higher Education.

As a former Division I student-athlete at a Historically Black University, Chairperson of the Advisory Board for Return on Inclusion and a member of the Women Leaders in College Sports Mentor Program board, Lovelace has learned the importance of leading from an identity-based inclusive vision.

She will tell you that her most powerful and memorable experience has been the
creation of BEOREGON, a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative at the University of Oregon. There, as a member of the athletic department, she partnered with NIKE to educate and inspire future generations of leaders.

Lovelace has facilitated workshops with athletic industry leaders, administrators, and students on the topics of identity, race, and sexual orientation. She has spoken on a number of regional and national platforms including the NIKE Headquarters, Women Leaders in College Sports National Convention, Association for Applied Sport Psychology, and National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A) Regional Conference.

"Mental Health is important to me, as a Queer Black female and recognizing the trauma that has occurred over my lifetime due to my social identities. The more social identities that you associate with that are not accepted in our society starts to wear you down, especially when you are on the front lines of trying to dismantle to white supremacy that this country was founded on. I believe that everyone should seek mental health services to get clarity but more importantly it's a part of self-care."

Breyah Richardson

Founder, Breathe

Breyah Richardson is a graduate of Loyola University New Orleans. Recognizing the need for advocacy, education, research, and support for black college students, Breyah created B.R.E.A.T.H.E (Black Resources Engaged At The Higher Levels Of Education). With her organization, she’s working towards one more safer space to promote mental health as an essential part of the overall college experience. In the Black community, many are reluctant to discuss mental health issues and seek treatment because of the shame and stigma associated with such conditions.

Matthew L. Davidson, Ph.D.

Founder & President, Excellence with Integrity Institute

Matthew L. Davidson, Ph.D., is an original Founder and the current President of the
Excellence with Integrity Institute (formerly the Institute for Excellence & Ethics—IEE).

He has dedicated over 25 years to the theory, practice, and assessment of character and culture with a special emphasis on leadership and organizational development.

Through his work at the Institute Dr. Davidson seeks to foster optimal performance in individuals and organizations through the assessment and development of excellence, integrity, teamwork, and intrapersonal development.

The Excellence with Integrity Assessment and Development Tools have been used in a wide-range of educational, youth development and workplace settings, as well as with student-athletes and coaches in youth, high school, and Division I, II, and III intercollegiate athletic settings including the University of Notre Dame, Drake University, Le Moyne College, the University of Scranton, Fairfield University, and Stanford University.

Dr. Davidson has previously served as Research Director at the Center for the 4th & 5th Rs (Respect & Responsibility) at SUNY Cortland. He has also been on staff at the Family Life Development Center at Cornell University, the Values Program at Le Moyne College, and the Mendelson Center for Sport, Character, and Culture at the University of Notre Dame, where he was also an Adjunct Professor of Education.

Mental health is the ability to handle adversity, prosperity, and the overall unpredictability of life with a sense of inner-poise, balance, and harmony.

Cameron Lynch

NFL Legend

Cameron Lynch is a native of Artesia, CA, Syracuse University Alum, Rams Legend (2015, 2017), Bucs Legend(2016-2018). Lynch played all four years during his time at Syracuse. He saw both success both on and off the field, as ACC Academic All-American in 2014. After his playing days in the NFL, Cameron launched a media consulting and production company called HeartWorkMedia , and has grown his career in broadcasting as well to land opportunities as a color commentator with Florida International University Football and the In-Game host for SB LV with Scott Hanson. Cameron is currently participating in the Legends Development Program at the League office, working under Tracy Pearlman and the Player Marketing and Engagement team

Cameron’s philosophy on mental health:
“As athletes, we are expected to compete and train at a world-class level. The major factors that separate amateur and professional athletes are mental health and mental awareness. Pro Tip: Train Your Mental! Meditation and journaling are some of my best practices.”

Valorie Kondos Field

PAC-12 "Gymnastics Coach of the Century"

Valorie Kondos Field is the retired head coach of the seven-time NCAA Champion,
22-time Regional and 18-time Pac 12 Champion UCLA Women’s Gymnastics team. Inducted into the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010, the four-time “National Coach of the Year” was also named “West Region Coach” of the Year and Pac 12 “Coach of the Century” for her solid track record as a preeminent coach.

Affectionately known by her gymnasts as “Miss Val,” her reputation is only one reason that 46 former US national team members came through her program and why half of the last two Olympic teams committed to UCLA. Valorie’s coaching success can be attributed to her extraordinary leadership and mentorship of young student-athletes, and the way in which she used gymnastics as an avenue through which to teach valuable life lessons, while encouraging individuality and joy. Something Valorie learned from the late John Wooden, the legendary and most successful collegiate basketball coach of all time, who was one of her biggest inspirations, as well as a close mentor and friend.

Valorie began her career as a professional ballet dancer and choreographer for the Washington, DC and Sacramento Ballet Companies. Although never a gymnast herself, she’s transferred to her student-athletes all she learned in the world of classical dance. The result of which resulted in nearly three decades of coaching one of the premiere athletic programs in any sport, mentoring hundreds of elite athletes, including Olympic champions Simone Biles, Jordan Wieber, Kyla Ross, Madison Kocian, Laurie Hernandez and Nastia Liukin, among others.

Also known as the nation’s foremost gymnastics choreographer, Miss Val’s many credits include choreographing and directing a myriad of live variety shows, such as the NCAA Opening Ceremonies for Women’s Basketball, a flash mob of famed female athletes and coaches at the inaugural Aurora Games, a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar roast, CBS’s “Jump, Jive & Thrive” Breast Cancer Research Foundation benefit, and 26 years of cirque-type shows for SeaWorld’s Summer Nights and the San Diego Zoo. Current projects include additional live stage shows, TV specials, events and the development of a theatrical musical, plus the highly anticipated post-Olympic “Gold Over America Tour” featuring an all-star team of female gymnastics champions, headlined by Simone Biles and also featuring Katelyn Ohashi, which will begin in Fall 2021 and is slated to visit more than 35 U.S. cities, celebrating powerful female athletes in a high-octane, fun-filled experience.

She is a dynamic and charismatic speaker with an extensive schedule of “Corporate Coaching” events for national companies including JP Morgan Chase, General Electric, Gucci and Jackson National Life Insurance, and has contributed to various panel discussions including Bustle’s “Rule Breakers” and the ESPNW Summit. In her TEDWomen 2019 talk, Miss Val inspires people to reevaluate their definition of success. She maintains that real success is developing champions in life, and that in order to motivate success, we need to inspire those whom we lead without compromising the human spirit.

As a recent breast cancer survivor, Valorie’s positive outlook and hope-filled message is impactful. She empowered her athletes to use their voices, to celebrate themselves, and to enjoy the elite sport that has damaged so many in the past. She also shared her motivating and inspirational messages with the world, with her book, “LIFE IS SHORT, DON’T WAIT TO DANCE: Advice and Inspiration from the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame Coach of 7 NCAA Championship Teams,” which was released in Fall 2018 by the Hachette Book Group. It expounds on her life philosophy: “Don’t wait to see what life is going to hand you, take control of your life and design ~ choreograph it exactly how you want it to turn out.” In her free time, Valorie is active with the UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation, LA 84 Olympic Foundation, WISE (Women In Sports & Events), BCRF (Breast Cancer Research Foundation), Unite For Her, and many other charitable organizations, close to her heart. She resides in Los Angeles, CA with her husband, retired UCLA Football Coach, Bobby Field.

"Mental health for me isn’t about always being happy and in a ‘good’ mental place. It’s about being able to acknowledge, honor and share my emotions without fear or shame."

Morgan Alexander

Student Athlete
Syracuse University 

Morgan Alexander is a 6th year student- athlete at Syracuse University. She is a
member of the Women's lacrosse team. During her time at Syracuse, Morgan has gone through many trials and tribulations. In the past four years Morgan has undergone five different knee surgeries.

Injury one: Had to undergo a complete knee reconstruction in right knee: ACL, medial meniscus, lateral meniscus, mcl, bone dent, and a partial knee cap replacement
Injury two: right knee: medial and lateral meniscus
Injury three: right knee: investigative scope and clean up-- repaired medial meniscus
Injury four: right knee: microfracture surgery to try to bring more blood flow to the area
Injury five: left knee: ACL

After her most recent knee surgery at Syracuse the Athletic Training Department and Doctors attempted to medically disqualify Morgan, but she said no. While most people would have retired after going through these injuries Morgan continues to push herself to be the best player she can be.

Her story is an inspiration to the lacrosse community across the United States. Morgan uses her platform to be an advocate for the struggles of mental health. Through hundreds of podcasts and interviews, she always makes sure to put an emphasis on mental health. Morgan is an ambassador for Morgan’s Message. She also has a large following on Instagram for her Morgan Alexander Mindset (@morganalexandermindset) page. On this page she puts up workouts and rehabilitation techniques to help inspire other athletes going through ACL recovery.

Morgan’s philosophy on mental health:
“Mental Health is something that I’m extremely passionate about because I have struggled with it myself. I have gone through 5 different knee surgeries in 4 years which has caused extreme anxiety and depression. I have learned so many life lessons through the adversity I have gone through and I want to be able to help and inspire others to persevere. Knowing that you are NOT ALONE. The struggle to destigmatize mental health is a battle that I will continue to fight.”