SUPPORT UMD STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVES LIKE THE AWARD-WINNING GREEN BANDANA PROJECT

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Twenty-six schools were finalists for the 2022 NCAA Division II Award of Excellence but only one could be named the recipient of one of the most prestigious awards in the NCAA. The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs were honored as the 2022 NCAA Division II Award of Excellence recipient for their work with the Green Bandana Project and mental health awareness. This is the first time in Bulldog athletic history they have been honored with the award. The NCAA Award of Excellence accolade recognizes initiatives in the past year that exemplify the Division II philosophy, community engagement and student-athlete leadership. 

The University of Minnesota Duluth's SAAC (student-athlete advisory committee) first engaged with the Green Bandana Project initiative in the Fall of 2019 as a mental health education and awareness campaign, which has evolved into a student group made up of 55 student-athletes, representing all 16 teams on the University of Minnesota Duluth campus. The campaign's 3 goals are: 1) Decrease the stigma of mental illness within our athletic department/university, 2) Support those struggling with mental illness and suicidal thoughts, and 3) Spread mental health resources.

"I started and pushed for this campaign because I wished something like this existed when I was a freshman," said Becca Osborne, Bulldog women's soccer student-athlete, President/Founder of campaign. "To see where our project started, to what it has become has truly been an amazing experience to be a part of. What makes it so special is that no one person made it happen. It took partnerships between our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and other organizations to become the campaign it is today. There is no better way to describe the impact it has made than to explain the people who it has helped. No one should ever feel alone, and over the past three years we made sure people know that they matter in this world, that it's okay to not be okay, and that it's okay to ask for help."

This campaign inspired Bulldog student-athletes to bring mental health awareness to the next level by partnering with campus counseling services, community mental health professionals and other mental health focused student groups. 

"I joined the Green Bandana Project because I wanted to help support a campaign that I believed in grow," said Jordyn Thomas, Bulldog softball student-athlete, Vice-President of campaign. "Born into a Bulldog family, UMD has always been home to me, and being able to give back to my community is an honor. This award shows all of the hard work and dedication everyone has put into spreading our message. The past few years have been challenging in so many ways, and we want everyone to know that it's okay to not be okay. I truly believe Bulldog Country is a family." 

From the very beginning, it was evident that the UMD Green Bandana Project had a platform to create real change in the community of Duluth, Minnesota. The success of this initiative is evident when you walk through campus and see the thousands of green bandana's attached to the backpacks of Bulldog students. These green bandanas signify that those who display them are mental health advocates and will support anyone feeling impacted by mental health, and can refer them to mental health resources (a resource card is distributed with each bandana).

"The greatest part of this amazing honor is that it has been 100% student driven," said Karen Stromme, Senior Associate Athletic Director - Internal Operations & Senior Woman Administrator. "We are grateful that Division II has given recognition to our "total package" student-athletes who have made a difference with Mental Health on our campus and in our community!"