Our Mission

Our mission is to educate and support athletes and their families on their journey through sports and life to ensure they have the tools and knowledge to show up as the best version of themselves today and tomorrow. To foster a holistic understanding of athletic identity that prioritizes mental health and emotional well-being. We aim to empower athletes, coaches, and families at all levels to cultivate a balanced sense of self that transcends performance metrics, enabling them to thrive in and out of their sports.

Vision

We envision a future where athletes, coaches, and families of athletes recognize their worth beyond their achievements, embracing their multifaceted identities. By promoting mental health awareness and resilience, we strive to create supportive environments that encourage open dialogue about emotional challenges and the importance of mental wellness and life beyond the games.

Goals

• Education: Provide resources and training for athletes, coaches, and parents on the significance of healthy athletic identity and its impact on mental health.
• Support Systems: Establish comprehensive support networks that include access to mental health professionals who specialize in sports psychology.
• Community Engagement: Foster a culture within sports organizations that values emotional well-being as much as physical performance, encouraging athletes to share their experiences without stigma.

Commitment

We are committed to advocating for policies that prioritize mental health services in athletic programs, ensuring that every athlete has access to the support they need during times of injury, transition, or personal struggle. Our approach emphasizes resilience-building strategies that help athletes navigate setbacks while maintaining a positive self-image.

Dr. Anthony D’Onofrio

Dr. Anthony D’Onofrio has spent three decades managing the events, operations, marketing and sales, and educating in a complex of amateur and professional sports organizations. Currently Dr. Anthony D'Onofrio, Assistant Professor and the Director of Graduate Sport Leadership at Endicott College in Beverly, MA and supervises graduate school staff in recruiting, academic advising, program assessment and career counseling for over 150 graduate students in a 100% online, asynchronous course delivery structure.

Dr. D’Onofrio has taught the following courses at Endicott College:

• Facilities Planning in Sport
• Sport Marketing
• Event Planning and Programming
• Sport Entrepreneurship
• History and Philosophy of Recreation and Leisure
• Preparing for a Career in Sports
• Comprehensive Seminar in Athletic Administration

Internationally, Dr. D’Onofrio has taught Sports Marketing Course in Leysin, Switzerland and has also taught experiential tours in Cork, Ireland, and Florence, Italy. Dr. D’Onofrio is also an Adjunct Professor at Clark University and Bunker Hill Community College where he teaches Sports Facilities & Event Administration and Sport Marketing & Promotion.

Dr. D’Onofrio’s Dissertation title: Sport-Career Transformation Experiences that Impact the Career Transition of Professional Ice Hockey Players.

Dr. D’Onofrio provides a broad and practical knowledge of domestic and international sports industry combined with excellent business acumen. He has years of experience working in sports sales and owned Crawfish Relay Race in New Orleans to Pensacola, FL.

Dr. D’Onofrio began his career with fulfilling several internships with the New England Hockey Institute in Whitman, MA, Las Vegas Stars AAA baseball club, Las Vegas Thunder IHL, and the All-American Cage basketball classic in Mobile, AL. Dr. D’Onofrio served as the Health Director at the LSJCC in Newton MA. Taught physical education and health at Malden Catholic high school and Everett Public Schools. Served as the Athletic Director at Pope John XXIII High school in Everett, MA. Dr. D’Onofrio was the Marketing Director for Skating In-line Hockey Association in Colorado Springs, Corporate & Hockey Arena, Sales Manager for In-Arena Communications in Medford, MA, and Corporate & Golf Sales Manager for Every Brand Apparel in Tyler, TX.

Dr. D’Onofrio has presented at the Professional Hockey Players Association at the Annual PHPA meetings in Orlando, Florida for life after professional hockey, at the annual Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA) at the University of Houston, University of Tampa, Troy University, Alabama. Has presented at the following colleges and universities on preparing for a career in the sports industry and life college athletics, Endicott College, Salem State University, Dean College, Rivier College, Louisiana State University, and the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, AL. Dr. D’Onofrio presented to the following highs schools on career transition in sports, Phillips Exeter in Exeter, NH, Bridgton Academy in North Bridgton, Maine. Dr. D’Onofrio recently presented at Permian High School in Permian, Texas on Athletic Identity, Mental Health, and the Dangers of Fentanyl. Dr. D’Onofrio also present to the Drug Enforcement Agency in the Spring of 2024 at the DEA Headquarters in Springfield, VA.

Born in Boston and a native of Everett, MA, Dr. D’Onofrio is a graduate of Salem State College. He received his Master’s Degree from the United States Sports Academy and earned his Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education Leadership from Endicott College. In addition to being a member of Board Member Operation Veteran Now, Board Member Hoop Dreams Africa and Ambassador to Warriors Unmasked.