Megan Foster: Mental Balance in Sports & Society

Written by: Taylor Carlisle, Red & Black Contributor

---

The Following article is a Student Contribution from Dr. Berberick's COM-230: Journalism Class.

---

Coach Megan Foster posing for headshot at the Janet Swanson Tennis Courts (Courtesy: Regan. T. Carlson)

MAR. 8,2023 – Student athletes continue to fight mental health obstacles while juggling academics and sport, while focusing on their well-being. According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), mental exhaustion, anxiety and depression remain 1.5 to two times higher than identified before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The NCAA also reported that only 59 percent of men and 50 percent of women believed that their coaches took their mental health concerns seriously as college athletes.

Megan Foster, a former tennis player and current Division III tennis coach at Washington & Jefferson College (W&J), expressed the importance of mental health in sports, ethics, and society. This session was offered at W&J’s sixth annual Symposium on Democracy on Feb. 22, 2023.

“We have a small community here at W&J that cares for each other,” Foster said. “It is all about having a good balance.”

“We have a small community here at W&J that cares for each other, t is all about having a good balance.”- Foster said

In November of 2022, Foster was honored with a national Community Service Award by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and the Professional Tennis Registry. According to the USTA, Megan Foster sees much more than just tennis when she’s on the court.

During Foster’s talk, she expressed her love for giving back to her community and her passion for bringing society together, while being a team player at the same time.

“I make sure I let my team know that I am there for them, just like I know they are there for me,” Foster said.

Oliver Kilgore, a sophomore at W&J and business administration major, was enlightened by this event compared to other sessions offered at the Symposium.

“I am interested in all of the topics that Megan Foster discussed, especially talking about mental-wellness of high school and college athletes involving any division of school.”

“I am interested in all of the topics that Megan Foster discussed, especially talking about mental-wellness of high school and college athletes involving any division of school.- Oliver Kilgore

Abby Fabin, a first-year student at W&J and softball player, was inspired by all of the new information she learned at the session.

“I appreciate Megan Foster shedding light on college athletes to help us feel seen,” Fabin said.

Foster left her audience with one final question to ponder over which left the overflowing room of mostly athletes, thinking in silence.

“If I passed away, what did I contribute and what would someone write about me?” Foster asked.