PITT-BRADFORD STUDENT-ATHLETES TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NCAA PROGRAMMING

Pitt-Bradford student-athletes have once again taken advantage of various NCAA programming over recent months, including Brooklyn Bellavia and Austin Kitcey (NCAA Career in Sports Forum) and Ty Bowen-Collateta (Native Student-Athlete Summit), and plan to bring what they learned back to their peers on the Bradford, PA campus.

Bellavia, a women's volleyball student-athlete, and Kitcey, a member of the Panther baseball team, attended the NCAA Career in Sports Forum May 28-31, 2025. The forum started out by having participants develop their path to the professional world through Exploring, Sharpening, Networking, Growing, and Discovering. Participants also learned the importance of the four C's (Connection, Career, Clout, and Confidence) and were advised to find the place that's right for each individual. They learned that everyone's path is different, and that it is important to fail forward (get up and try again) throughout their careers.  

"This was an overall amazing, unimaginable experience," stated Bellavia. "I had the opportunity to connect with peers from various backgrounds, divisions, schools, and experiences. I additionally was able to learn from the leaders and professionals in the industry."

Bowen-Collateta attended the first-ever Native Student-Athlete Summit that was hosted by the Indigenous Athletics Advancement Council at the NCAA Headquarters in Indianapolis June 4-5, 2025. The summit focused on finding comfort in being their true authentic self while still holding on to traditional values and not feeling ashamed or worried about showcasing their beautiful unique gifts, values, and knowledge that makes them Indigenous. The environment at the summit was very welcoming and felt like a big family reunion to the participants. Bowen-Collateta was given the opportunity to tell his story and everything that Pitt-Bradford has done, not only with the addition of men's and women's lacrosse and hosting events such as the walk for Orange Shirt Day for the Boarding schools, but also with the increase in Indigenous-led workshops and events that the University hosts to showcase Indigenous culture and Identity.

"(The summit) was truly a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget," noted Bowen-Collateta. "Dr. Been and Dr. Joseph, who come from the Muscogee and Choctaw Nations, have put a lot of thoughts and efforts into creating this amazing summit and experience."