Fort Lewis College student-athletes connect over food and wellness resources

Fort Lewis College student-athletes gathered this week for an evening of food, connection and support, through a new collaboration between the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and Student Well-Being.

Held on campus, the event brought student-athletes together for a shared meal provided by Pupuseria Torogoz while introducing them to campus resources that support basic needs, mental health and reporting services.

SAAC President Tessa Stadler, a senior anthropology major and cross and track athlete, said the idea grew out of a desire to make student life skills programming more engaging and accessible.

“SAAC is kind of like student government for athletes,” Stadler said. “We try to figure out what student-athletes need and how to support them. We realized there are all these resources available on campus, but a lot of athletes don’t know they exist or how to access them.”

Rather than hosting a traditional workshop, SAAC opted for a more interactive evening centered on food and conversation. Student-athletes visited different campus spaces, including Grubhub, WellPack and peer support offices, to meet staff and learn how to access services such as SNAP benefits, basic needs support and reporting resources.

Food and nutrition is critical for athletes, Stadler said. “You’re always hungry. We put so much time and energy into our sports, and sometimes it’s hard to go home and cook after practice. Having good food and community food brings people together and helps us fuel what we do.”

Ellie Simpson, a case manager with Student Well-Being, said the event also aimed to reduce stigma around seeking help and strengthen connections between athletes and campus services.

“We saw a gap with some athletes accessing resources,” Simpson said. “This was an opportunity for them to put faces to those resources and learn what’s available in a welcoming way.”

Both organizers hope the event becomes a regular offering, strengthening connections across teams and campus while ensuring student-athletes feel supported in every aspect of college life.