By BRAXTYN TURNER
NWOSU student-athletes gathered in Percefull fieldhouse Jan. 20 to attend a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Prevention seminar. The meeting began with introductions for Brad Franz, vice president of athletics; Calleb Mossburg, vice president of student services and enrollment; and Taylor Wilson, director of counseling.
Shortly after their introductions, Steve Tanio, a Woods county district attorney investigator, took to the floor to begin his part of the seminar.
As he spoke, he explained the risks of substance use while reviewing recent statistics that dealt with substance abuse specifically in college environments.
He explained the effects that these substances can have on your body, mental health and overall performance as a student-athlete.
Carter Morris, a sophomore football player and business major from Wichita, Kansas, who attended the seminar, said “I think it’s important that we have these seminars because I think a lot of students need to be reminded of all the penalties that can happen from making mistakes.
“I mean everybody makes mistakes, but at the end of the day if you know the consequences from your mistakes then it makes it a lot less likely that it’ll happen to you and you’ll make one of those dumb choices you know.”
Tanio also spoke about the lasting effects of rape and sexual assault.
He showed the statistic that 97,000 students report experiences with sexual assault or date rape while under the influence of alcohol per year.
The importance of being aware of what you are consuming and how much you are consuming was emphasized multiple times throughout the meeting.
When asked what she learned in the seminar, Ryann Eastes, a freshman volleyball player majoring in elementary education from Pratt, Kansas, said, “I would say, if you are of age, don’t drink your drink unless you see it be made for you.”
Tanio also spent time advising students to stray away from sexual interactions online.
He presented the group of student-athletes with resources such as the website Haveibeenpawned, which allows individuals to find out if anyone has access to their phone, and IC3.gov, which can scrub the internet for inappropriate images.
Repeatedly throughout the seminar, Tanio expressed the importance of checking up on your friends and taking notice of their behavior changes.
He emphasized that small shifts in mood and habits can often signal deeper struggles.
By being attentive and willing to ask questions, there is a space created for support and safety.
Drew Scott, a sophomore baseball player from Edmond, majoring in business, who also attended the seminar, said, “I think overall I just learned, if you notice something say something to someone you can trust, or if you see it happening, take action.”
The seminar is part of NWOSU’s ongoing effort to promote student safety, accountability and well-being.
Organizers encouraged student-athletes to continue using campus and community resources and to support one another both on and off the field.