Miami Ohio University Athletics
Miami Partners with RADical Hope for First-Year Student-Athletes
4/23/2026 4:53:00 PM | General
OXFORD, Ohio – RADical Hope, a nonprofit that brings proven and fully-funded wellness programs to colleges, universities and sports teams nationwide, announced a new partnership with the Miami University RedHawks beginning in Spring 2026.
Through the partnership, 120 freshmen student-athletes will complete RADical Health as part of Miami's Becoming a Champion 4 Life course within its Sports Leadership and Management curriculum. RADical Health is woven directly into becoming a Champion 4 Life, deepening the program's existing focus on mental wellness and development. The four-week program is designed to foster connection, build resilience and stress management tools and support the balance between academics and athletics.
"We so firmly believe in the RADical Health content and its impact on young college athletes that we devoted a third of the semester to peer education, conversations and personal reflections. The transition from high school to Division I college athletics is difficult. The RADical Health program empowers our athletes with skills to be mentally aware, to manage stress and to build resilience so they can cope before they reach a crisis," said Jennie Gilbert, Miami Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator. "Our goal is to ensure our athletes know that their mental health is a priority, not just while they are here at Miami, but as graduates out in the real world owning real skills to thrive."
Through weekly RADical Health sessions, student-athletes develop practical tools for managing pressure, strengthening communication, and navigating the transition into college athletics. RADical Health emphasizes connection and skill development, helping students build habits that support both performance and personal well-being throughout their athletic seasons and beyond.
"I'm learning to give myself permission to float. I think that is so important as student-athletes…Self-care is not something you need to earn. We also need to take care of ourselves and it's easy to forget that," said a RADical Health Guide and RedHawk student-athlete.
The program is facilitated by eight RedHawk peer health educators made up of both student-athletes and non student-athletes. The peer-to-peer dynamic is a cornerstone of the RADical Health program supported by research that consistently shows increased engagement and trust among college-aged students in peer-led environments.
The HAWKS, Miami's peer health education program, play a central role in delivering the RADical Health experience. By training student peers to facilitate RADical Health content, the partnership creates a relatable, community-related learning environment.
RADical Health was developed in consultation with behavioral health specialists, academic leaders, students and psychologists. It was first piloted in the fall of 2020 with New York University and after several successful pilots, the organization scaled the program nationally. Today, RADical Hope now works with more than 80 campuses and community organizations across the country and supports over 25,000 students.
About RADical Hope
RADical Hope improves the lives and futures of young adults by strengthening connections and building resilience. Its signature program, RADical Health, empowers participants with skills to build resilience, manage stress and strengthen support systems so they're equipped to cope before reaching a crisis point. All content, resources, training, and support are fully funded for partners. Learn more at www.radicalhopefoundation.org.
About Becoming a Champion 4 Life
The primary purpose of this course is to facilitate learning opportunities and experiences that will provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop leadership skills at Miami University. Specifically, students will explore leadership through these six core guiding principles: Focus, Attitude, Teamwork, Tenacity, Integrity and Empathy. They will explore leadership skills and qualities (e.g., personal values, identity, commitment, accountability), mental skills and life skills (e.g., stress management, positive mindset, confidence, composure), and other important topics (e.g., sleep hygiene, nutrition, social media and mental health).
Through the partnership, 120 freshmen student-athletes will complete RADical Health as part of Miami's Becoming a Champion 4 Life course within its Sports Leadership and Management curriculum. RADical Health is woven directly into becoming a Champion 4 Life, deepening the program's existing focus on mental wellness and development. The four-week program is designed to foster connection, build resilience and stress management tools and support the balance between academics and athletics.
"We so firmly believe in the RADical Health content and its impact on young college athletes that we devoted a third of the semester to peer education, conversations and personal reflections. The transition from high school to Division I college athletics is difficult. The RADical Health program empowers our athletes with skills to be mentally aware, to manage stress and to build resilience so they can cope before they reach a crisis," said Jennie Gilbert, Miami Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator. "Our goal is to ensure our athletes know that their mental health is a priority, not just while they are here at Miami, but as graduates out in the real world owning real skills to thrive."
Through weekly RADical Health sessions, student-athletes develop practical tools for managing pressure, strengthening communication, and navigating the transition into college athletics. RADical Health emphasizes connection and skill development, helping students build habits that support both performance and personal well-being throughout their athletic seasons and beyond.
"I'm learning to give myself permission to float. I think that is so important as student-athletes…Self-care is not something you need to earn. We also need to take care of ourselves and it's easy to forget that," said a RADical Health Guide and RedHawk student-athlete.
The program is facilitated by eight RedHawk peer health educators made up of both student-athletes and non student-athletes. The peer-to-peer dynamic is a cornerstone of the RADical Health program supported by research that consistently shows increased engagement and trust among college-aged students in peer-led environments.
The HAWKS, Miami's peer health education program, play a central role in delivering the RADical Health experience. By training student peers to facilitate RADical Health content, the partnership creates a relatable, community-related learning environment.
RADical Health was developed in consultation with behavioral health specialists, academic leaders, students and psychologists. It was first piloted in the fall of 2020 with New York University and after several successful pilots, the organization scaled the program nationally. Today, RADical Hope now works with more than 80 campuses and community organizations across the country and supports over 25,000 students.
About RADical Hope
RADical Hope improves the lives and futures of young adults by strengthening connections and building resilience. Its signature program, RADical Health, empowers participants with skills to build resilience, manage stress and strengthen support systems so they're equipped to cope before reaching a crisis point. All content, resources, training, and support are fully funded for partners. Learn more at www.radicalhopefoundation.org.
About Becoming a Champion 4 Life
The primary purpose of this course is to facilitate learning opportunities and experiences that will provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop leadership skills at Miami University. Specifically, students will explore leadership through these six core guiding principles: Focus, Attitude, Teamwork, Tenacity, Integrity and Empathy. They will explore leadership skills and qualities (e.g., personal values, identity, commitment, accountability), mental skills and life skills (e.g., stress management, positive mindset, confidence, composure), and other important topics (e.g., sleep hygiene, nutrition, social media and mental health).
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