SKANEATELES, N.Y. — A student-led club at Skaneateles High School that champions mental health awareness among student-athletes has been recognized with a prestigious statewide award for its impactful community service.
The club, affiliated with Morgan’s Message, was recently named the winner of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Community Service Challenge, selected from 204 project submissions statewide.
Founded four years ago in response to growing interest among students in discussing mental health, the club has since evolved into a formal after-school organization. It centers its work around Morgan’s Message, a national nonprofit that seeks to end the stigma surrounding mental health in sports. The initiative honors the legacy of Morgan Rodgers, a former Duke University lacrosse player who died by suicide in 2019.
Today, the Skaneateles chapter includes 80 student ambassadors dedicated to promoting open dialogue and providing resources for their peers.
A Deeper Purpose in Athletics
“I am very proud of our students,” said Steve Musso, athletic director at Skaneateles High School. “We pride ourselves on being an education-based athletics program. Winning is a goal, but our purpose is much deeper than that. I think this exemplifies that belief.”
The club is led by Kristin Moses, the school’s coordinator of student support services and family engagement, who has guided the group in organizing a range of impactful events and outreach initiatives.
On February 26, the club hosted a Morgan’s Message Night during the varsity boys basketball game against Cazenovia, where student-athletes delivered speeches about the importance of mental health, distributed crisis resources, and shared the club’s mission with attendees.
The event also featured the sale of T-shirts, stickers, and awareness ribbons, which included information on the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The effort raised over $1,000 to support mental health awareness.
Community-Wide Engagement
The mental health message extended beyond basketball. Skaneateles’ ice hockey and soccer teams have also embraced Morgan’s Message, hosting similar awareness nights during their respective seasons.
“I witnessed firsthand how our dedication game reached far beyond the players on the court,” Moses said. “The messages we received from coaches and officials following the event were deeply moving and a powerful reminder that mental health touches all of us — athletes, coaches, referees, and families alike.”
She described the basketball game as an opportunity for “conversation, reflection, and connection,” underscoring the belief that while competition brings communities together, “it’s our humanity that binds us — and life will always matter more than the final score.”
Student Leadership in Action
The success of the February event was driven in part by student leaders Brody Loi and Sean Olley, both players on the boys basketball team, who collaborated with Moses to coordinate the evening’s activities.
“It’s quite an honor that the boys basketball team was able to be a part of Morgan’s Message by hosting a dedication game,” said head coach Jim Ryan. “Brody and Sean did a tremendous job organizing an event that touched many people in our community. We’re grateful to NYSPHSAA for recognizing their efforts and those of all the students involved.”
A Message of Support
Dr. Robert Zayas, Executive Director of NYSPHSAA, praised the students’ initiative, stating: “As we continue to address the challenges surrounding mental health within the student-athlete community, the efforts demonstrated by Skaneateles High School’s Morgan’s Message club are truly inspiring.”
“By actively engaging with and supporting their school’s Morgan’s Message club during their game, these student-athletes sent a powerful message — that no one is ever truly alone, and that support is always available for those who need it,” Zayas added.
