Southland Conference Partners with Thrive Global to Improve Student-Athlete Mental Health
Leveraging science-backed behavior change technology to improve athlete well-being, performance, and mental resilience
FRISCO, Texas – As part of its ongoing commitment to enhancing the student-athlete experience, the Southland Conference today announced a partnership with Thrive Global to address the unique mental health challenges arising from the rigors of modern-day athletic competition. The conference regards the partnership as an example of its desire to use the best tools available when it comes to student-athlete support.
“Because the challenges of athletic competition can intensify the social stresses that have multiplied for collegiate student-athletes over the past several years, we owe our athletes the mental health support they need to excel,” said Commissioner Chris Grant. “In Arianna Huffington’s Thrive Global, we have found a partner who not only understands the student-athlete experience, but also delivers cutting edge technology that adapts to the needs of each individual student. I sincerely hope that all Southland athletes will take advantage of this resource.”
In forging this partnership, the Southland is breaking new ground as the first athletic conference to partner with Thrive Global, and to take
Thrive and SHRM’s #MentalHealthPledge. In honor of World Mental Health Day, the partnership will kick off with a Mental Health Webinar on Wednesday, October 12 featuring Thrive’s Chief Training Officer, Joey Hubbard. In addition, the Thrive behavior change platform will be made available by the Thrive Global Foundation to all Southland student-athletes, coaching staff, administrators, and conference staff.
“The view most people have of college athletes is limited to their performance on the field, but the rigors of meeting academic expectations as well as physical training requirements can really put a strain on their lives,” said Hubbard, a former Division I football athlete and coach. “In the same way they improve their bodies one workout at a time, we can help these athletes strengthen their mind one Microstep at a time, on their journey to success on the field and in life.”
Joey Hubbard has over 30 years of experience coaching and facilitating motivational seminars to assist individuals and professional organizations in improving their lives, their careers and their businesses all over the world. From the general public, to professional athletes/sports teams, and large corporations, Joey is committed to helping people and workforces find direction and live better.
“There’s nothing more important than the health and well-being of our Southland student-athletes,” said Grant. “My goal is that this partnership with Thrive Global will raise awareness of the mental health crisis facing student-athletes throughout the nation and we take steps to prioritize and build mental resilience.”
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About the Southland Conference:
Founded in Dallas in 1963 and now in its 60th competitive season, the Southland Conference is a powerful and dynamic Division I FCS Conference comprising diverse collegiate environments, cultures, and communities. Based in North Texas, the Conference includes ten members in Louisiana and Texas – Houston Christian University, University of Incarnate Word, Lamar University, McNeese State University, University of New Orleans, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, Texas A&M University-Commerce, and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. The Conference sponsors 19 NCAA Division I sports and has won numerous national championships, including the 2021 NCAA Division I Football Championship title. The Southland has also hosted the successful NCAA Division I FCS Championship Game in Frisco since 2011.
About Thrive Global:
Thrive Global is a leading behavior change technology company founded by Arianna Huffington in 2016 with the mission to end the stress and burnout epidemic. Thrive helps individuals and organizations improve well-being, performance and mental resilience with its AI-powered behavior change technology platform. Thrive’s Microsteps – small, science-backed steps to improve health and productivity – have been adopted by employees at more than 125 organizations in over 140 countries, from frontline and call center workers to executives at multinational companies. Thrive Global is headquartered in New York City and has talent hubs in Boston, Dublin and San Francisco. For more information, visit
www.thriveglobal.com.