Martin’s Words Resonate Now More Than Ever

For my entire life, I have dreamed about wearing a collegiate uniform. As an eight year old girl with big dreams, I imagined stepping into a huge gym full of people cheering and enjoying the game that I had fallen in love with. Throughout middle and high school, I dedicated myself to that dream. There were sacrifices, obstacles, lots of ups and downs along the way, but I worked hard to fulfill that goal that 8-year old Madi had. And I did it. Now, in the fall, I get to run out of the team locker room with 16 of my closest friends into the PMAC full of people singing “Callin’ Baton Rouge.” The feeling does not get old. Wearing LSU across my jersey and representing the great state of Louisiana is a major part of who I am and something that I take the utmost pride in. Being a student-athlete is truly everything I have ever dreamed of: the experience is amazing, gratifying, and unbelievable, and I thank God every day that I get to live this life as a volleyball player for Louisiana State University.

Behind the gear, media day photos, pre-game dance parties, and the post-game celebrations that get to be seen and enjoyed by everyone, there is a life of demanding early morning practices, extra lifts, additional hours spent in the training room to make sure your body is ready, and late nights spent watching film on yourself and your opponents to improve your own game and win your next match. And we do it, no questions asked. As athletes, we will do everything and anything to improve and elevate our game and most importantly, win. We not only represent ourselves but we represent our families, our coaching staff, our program, our university, and our state. We put pressure on ourselves to be the best. We put pressure on ourselves to be the best for yourself, your team, and your school. That pressure to be the best does not disappear when you unlace your shoes or step out of the gym. That pressure to be the best exists in every facet of your life: get the best grades in the classroom, be the best son/daughter/sister/brother/friend at home for your loved ones, lift the most in the weight room, watch the most film, do the most community service, and do everything you can to keep your body in tip-top shape. Sometimes, in the daily schedule of a student-athlete, an hour to take a break is rare. And that pressure can sometimes feel like the weight of the world on your shoulders.

If I had a physical injury, I know that I would have the most qualified, amazing trainers and medical professionals to help me fix my injury as quickly as possible. Torn ACL? We can have you in the operating room tomorrow morning. Tight hamstrings? We have access to foam rollers, cold tubs, and heating pads galore. But what happens when I am physically perfectly healthy, but mentally, I am not okay? Our entire lives, we have been told to “find that higher gear to push through, work through it, and go until you physically can’t anymore.” My teammates aren’t asking for help, so why should I have to? If everyone else is doing it just fine, why do I feel this way? Is this normal? Am I the problem? Am I not strong enough/good enough to be a student-athlete?

If you relate to any of the aforementioned questions, you are not alone. Asking for help, whether it be from your teammates, coaches, friends,on-campus medical professionals, team doctors/trainers, athletic admin.. etc is NOT a sign of weakness. Getting help, being open and vulnerable is NOT weak, and you are STRONG. You are not any less of a student-athlete, and your sport does not make you invincible to the pressures of this world. Before you are a student, before you are an athlete, you are a human being. Your mental health is so important. And no matter what, know you are not alone. Asking for help does not make you any less strong or amazing in the eyes of your friends, family, or coaches. It is a sign of impeccable strength.

To the NCAA, let’s make mental health a priority among all of your schools. The loss of lives of your student athletes are not isolated cases, and mental health is an epidemic within college athletes. We need you to do better. To coaches, athletic administration, support staff, etc: make it a part of your culture to prioritize mental health. We need to have mental health staff as an active part of your athletes’ lives. Be present for your athletes and show them that it’s okay to not be okay. Let’s make it as easy to get help for your mental health as it is to get help for an ankle sprain. If you’re a teammate/friend/parent/coach reading this worried about someone, reach out to them. Tell your people you love them, you will never regret being kind.

And lastly, to my fellow student athletes, I want you to know that I am proud of you. You are not alone. Before you are a student-athlete, you are a human being. You are not defined by how many points/minutes you play, your stats, or even your greatest accomplishment on the court or field. You are so much more. You are important, strong, and intelligent: you are my hero.

With all the love in the world,

Madi Martin