INDIANAPOLIS (1/21/2026) – The League has announced a partnership with Trevor Ruhland, a former Notre Dame football student-athlete, to make a Major Impact on the student-athletes at all 11 of our member institutions. Ruhland will speak to our student-athletes during two mental health webinars this semester about life after sport, identity, and navigating transition.
Why it Matters:
- These webinars are the next step in the League's mental health strategy following previous webinars with Kate Fagan and the distribution of mental health grants to campuses in the last few years.
Major Voices:
Horizon League Interim Commissioner Christine Neuman
"Mental health is such an important topic within our membership and our #HLSAAC and Student-Athlete Development Cabinet have been instrumental in helping us identify our next key initiative in this space. We are excited to bring in former student-athlete Trevor Ruhland to share his story and lead these important discussions with our League."
Former Notre Dame Football Student-Athlete Trevor Ruhland
"Sport gives us so much, but it can also shape how we see ourselves in ways that become challenging when seasons end or roles change. I'm grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Horizon League to have honest conversations with student-athletes about identity, mental health, and navigating life beyond sport. My hope is that these webinars create space for reflection, connection, and the reminder that asking for help is a strength—not a weakness."
Dig Deeper:
- The webinars will take place on Thursday, February 26 and Wednesday, April 15.
- Student-athletes should contact their #HLSAAC representatives or Life Skills/SAAC administrators to receive the Zoom link.
- Student-athletes who compete in non-Horizon League sports at HL institutions are also invited to join.
- Webinar attendees will have the ability to anonymously ask questions during each session.
- SAAC groups and teams on campus are also encouraged to host watch parties with mental health professionals on-site.
- Ruhland will discuss the following topics on the webinars:
- Identity beyond performance and titles
- Mental health, vulnerability, and asking for help
- Lessons sports teach us about leadership, teamwork, and resilience
- Navigating major life transitions (retirement from sport, career changes, personal growth, etc.)
- Finding purpose in the everyday, not just the big moments
- Follow Trevor Ruhland on social media.
- Learn more about Trevor' story here.
