Visit on Instagram

“Going into college I considered myself a very positive, confident person, which continued throughout the first couple of weeks and even months. I was more fortunate than most when it came to transitioning to college since I was already connected through the men’s tennis team. I think that no matter how mature and how ready you are to start this new life in college, there is something that almost [always] goes unspoken: the mental difficulties that students endure during their freshman year in college. Heading into the second semester, I began noticing signs of mild depression and soon after, I found myself facing it. Come February I found myself stuck in this hole that I couldn’t get out of. Reaching out to trusted individuals within the athletic department, I was able to get the help that I needed. Through this experience, I learned that it is okay not to be okay and that there is no shame in asking for help when you need it. I learned to make my mental health a top priority and I encourage my fellow student-athletes to do so as well. 

I currently serve as the Head of the Community and Campus Engagement Committee within SAAC. Doing this allowed me to develop great relationships with all types of people across the athletic community. I began to enjoy going to athletic events and found it as the best way to connect with my peers. As for the tennis team, I have been able to take more of a leadership role by helping our incoming freshmen adapt to college life and being away from home. As an athlete, one of my main priorities is to support my fellow student-athletes and attend their events, and vice versa. An example of this occurred this year during our season opener against Xavier, one of our main rivals. I knew we needed all the support we could get, so I told my friends and their teams to come out and support. Little did I know, there would be over one hundred student-athletes in the stands supporting my team. I was so overwhelmed and so happy. This is a moment that I hold very dear to my heart and will cherish it forever. It is those moments that reminded me that I have found my home away from home.” - Felipe Hidalgo (20)

“Going into college I considered myself a very positive, confident person, which continued throughout the first couple of weeks and even months. I was more fortunate than most when it came to transitioning to college since I was already connected through the men’s tennis team. I think that no matter how mature and how ready you are to start this new life in college, there is something that almost [always] goes unspoken: the mental difficulties that students endure during their freshman year in college. Heading into the second semester, I began noticing signs of mild depression and soon after, I found myself facing it. Come February I found myself stuck in this hole that I couldn’t get out of. Reaching out to trusted individuals within the athletic department, I was able to get the help that I needed. Through this experience, I learned that it is okay not to be okay and that there is no shame in asking for help when you need it. I learned to make my mental health a top priority and I encourage my fellow student-athletes to do so as well. I currently serve as the Head of the Community and Campus Engagement Committee within SAAC. Doing this allowed me to develop great relationships with all types of people across the athletic community. I began to enjoy going to athletic events and found it as the best way to connect with my peers. As for the tennis team, I have been able to take more of a leadership role by helping our incoming freshmen adapt to college life and being away from home. As an athlete, one of my main priorities is to support my fellow student-athletes and attend their events, and vice versa. An example of this occurred this year during our season opener against Xavier, one of our main rivals. I knew we needed all the support we could get, so I told my friends and their teams to come out and support. Little did I know, there would be over one hundred student-athletes in the stands supporting my team. I was so overwhelmed and so happy. This is a moment that I hold very dear to my heart and will cherish it forever. It is those moments that reminded me that I have found my home away from home.” - Felipe Hidalgo (20)

#

Instagram Follow Adder