Posted on October 30, 2022 by Amanda Cerreto
October 31, 2022 - The College for Health, Community and Policy (HCAP) at UTSA and the San Antonio Spurs have begun a collaboration to improve awareness, education and tools for students.
The partnership with the Spurs aims to educate students on career preparedness, with a particular emphasis on understanding career opportunities for students with an interest in athletics, as well as strengthening the community impact that the Spurs have with the City of San Antonio.
The mission of HCAP is to affect change in our community and beyond, and the partnership with the Spurs organization - San Antonio's team - will strengthen the mark UTSA students make on the city.
The San Antonio Spurs have always been community-focused. Since the founding of their nonprofit arm, Spurs Give, they have invested $28 million into the community. With this partnership, they aim to bridge the gap between their charitable work and the work that UTSA students are doing.
The first example of the partnership will take place on Wednesday, November 2, at the UTSA Roadrunner Athletics Center of Excellence (RACE). As part of the HCAP Dean's Community Lecture Series , the event will showcase leaders in the field for a panel-style Q&A with audience questions.
"It makes a lot of sense for The Spurs and HCAP to partner, due to their missions and the impact they have on the community at large," said Lisa Hernandez , director of development for HCAP. "Sponsorship funds will go to the Dean's Excellence Fund, which provides opportunities for professional and leadership growth for our students and faculty."
Kara Allen , the chief impact officer for the San Antonio Spurs, will moderate the discussion on physical and mental resiliency in sports. The panel members consist of Summer Rolin , assistant professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at UT Health, Ryan Filo, assistant athletic director for sports performance at UTSA and Kelly Cheever , Assistant Professor of Kinesiology at UTSA. Special guest Kemba Noel-London , Ph.D., athletic trainer and representative of The Ohio State University Institute for Healing Justice and Equity, will also weigh in on disparities in athletics.
“Athletes today often carry a social, community and personal weight beyond performance statistics and enticing headlines,” said Allen. “To navigate and explore what this means for all of us, Spurs Sports & Entertainment is honored to sponsor such an imperative conversation about athletes' mental and physical resilience.”
The Dean's Community Lecture Series provides valuable opportunities for current students and community members to connect with today’s leaders. The Department of Kinesiology, with support from the UTSA Athletics and UT Health teams, will lead November's discussion on mental and physical resiliency in sports.
This interdisciplinary approach will bring our audience a platform where they feel comfortable discussing real challenges that our students are facing.
“We believe it is vital to educate our future leaders, alongside UTSA, about the landscape our athletes face and our role in changing what is needed in and for our community,” Allen said.
— Amanda Cerreto
