Athletics Life Design Mentorship Program
Differentiating the BGSU student-athlete experience
The Athletics Life Design Mentorship Program founded in 2022 is a comprehensive initiative at BGSU, that fosters academic and personal growth for student-athletes. Through mentorship, Life Design courses, and career guidance, the program maximizes potential, emphasizing holistic development and successful transitions for student-athletes, underpinning a legacy of excellence.
BGSU Athletics strives to meet the unique needs and identities of student-athletes as they navigate the pressures of athletic and academic life. We work to build bridges from BGSU student-athletes to the on-campus resources that will help them succeed in the classroom and in their sport. We develop student-athletes personally and professionally as they prepare for lives after sport.
Life Design prepares students for success in college both in and outside the classroom. We believe this program separates and distinguishes BGSU from our peers in college sports. It looks holistically at the skills, relationships, aptitudes, and aspirations of each individual and begins to support growth and preparedness for life.
Derek van der Merwe
Vice President for Athletics Strategy and Director of Athletics
Being involved in the Life Design class at BGSU positively impacted my experience as a student-athlete. I learned how to become a better leader, both on and off the court. I learned additional skills that helped me be successful during my freshman year. Along with this, I was able to gain an understanding on what I wanted for my future. Overall, I really enjoyed experiencing Life Design. I was able to connect with other freshman student-athletes who share the same journey as I do. Plus learning what it takes to be the best version of myself. – Lauren Gerken, Women’s Basketball
Coming into my first year, the Life Design class really helped me work on collaboration and communication. I was in there with student-athletes from all over the world. The workshops in the class had us critically think about our future and our purpose. Life design helped me enhance the skills I already had. – Dayln White, Football
As a student-athlete that has always followed a plan set before me, I rarely learned how to manage what to do when it didn’t go my way. That became even more amplified with moving to a completely new city and starting the next chapter in my life. Life Design provided me with knowledge on how to accept my challenges and use them to prototype my future. The activities in class each focused on different tools that have helped me shape my future in a healthy way that welcomes change. Instead of fearing diversion, I now acknowledge that I can have many different plans in my life, each built from the strong tools that Life Design helped me create. – Rachael Hoover, Women’s Track and Field
Life Design impacted us in such a positive way both on and off the field. Our Life Design workshops allowed us to better ourselves as people. This is important for us as players because football only lasts for so long, no matter who you are, or how good you are. There is an endless ticking clock until we all hang up our cleats for the last time. This program has given us an opportunity to build a foundation in order to be successful when that day comes. – Blane Cleaver, Football
Through the Athletics Life Design Mentorship Program, student-athletes learn to:
Maximize Academic Experiences
- Goal: Foster a collaborative academic environment that leverages mentorship and life design principles to maximize learning experiences.
- Outcome: Students will excel academically, supported by mentors who guide them through tailored academic pathways, ensuring a well-rounded and enriching education
Prioritize Well-Being
- Goal: Integrate well-being into the fabric of the program, emphasizing mental, emotional, and physical health.
- Outcome: Students will develop a holistic sense of well-being, supported by mentors who prioritize their mentees' personal growth, resilience, and overall wellness
Make Connections
- Goal: Facilitate meaningful connections among students, mentors, and other campus resources to enhance the collegiate experience.
- Outcome: Students will build a robust network of connections that extends beyond their academic and athletic journey, providing a supportive community for personal and professional development.
Jump-start your Career
- Goal: Provide students with early career exposure, guidance, and connections through mentorship, Falcon Professional Network, and other relevant workshops.
- Outcome: Students will enter the workforce with a jump-start on their careers, armed with practical insights, industry connections, and a clear understanding of their career goals.
Live with a sense of Purpose
- Goal: Infuse purpose-driven & life design principles into every aspect of the program, helping students discover and align their personal goals.
- Outcome: Students will graduate with a profound sense of purpose, empowered by mentors who inspire them to make intentional choices that align with their values, passions, and long-term aspirations.
Updated: 10/02/2025 02:11PM