MKA Athletics has had a spectacular fall season, winning four state championships across varsity volleyball, varsity field hockey, girls’ tennis, and boys’ soccer. Additionally, the Middle School girls’ and boys’ soccer teams garnered Middle School Athletic Conference (MSAC) championship titles within each team.

While wins were being achieved this fall, MKA coaches were also investing in the Athletics program's commitment to student athletes' success off the field. On Monday, November 11 our coaches met with The MINDset Center for the second time this year for a “Person Before Player” coaches workshop, which is a comprehensive wellness education program focused on empowering student-athletes on their mental health needs.

Among the presenters were Founder and Director of The MINDset Center Shreya Hessler, Psy.D. and staff member Casey Giovanazzi Kutner. Dr. Hessler and her colleague Ms. Kutner walked coaches through how to cultivate successful training environments, the topic of accountability, and utilizing resources within their schools. Coaches learned how to identify signs that a student may need help along with many of the cornerstones of coaching like communication, promoting love of the sport, fostering growth, and showing students what healthy relationships look like.

Further, on Wednesday, November 13, the Upper School hosted an event for Middle School student-athletes and their families to help them understand the value of being part of a six through twelve athletics continuum—one where they experience the best that athletics has to offer. While many of our students participate in club sports, MKA's commitment to interscholastic athletics, and connecting students with coaches who are educators first, ensures that, win or lose on the field, they learn the lessons of teamwork, resilience, patience, and so much more that sports teach. 

Athletics can be a great coping area for many young athletes where they can work out their feelings and find other connection points to discover their identity. Opportunities like the “Person Before Player” workshop or peer-focused events among students help to make this a reality. The MKA Athletics program's competitive edge is how student-athletes are supported while experiencing meaningful challenges, growth, and accomplishment. By prioritizing the person before the player, the program creates an environment where students can thrive on and off the field. This commitment ensures that every student, regardless of their role on the team, leaves the program not just as a stronger athlete, but as a well-rounded individual ready to navigate life's challenges.

The MINDset Center provides specialized consultation to youth athletes, parents, coaches, schools, and sports programs to address mental health wellness needs which can enhance performance goals and optimize a successful and healthy training environment. Learn more by visiting mindsetcenter.com.

About Shreya Hessler, Psy.D. 
Dr. Hessler is the founder and director of The MINDset Center. She has been in private practice for over 15 years and specializes in the identification and treatment of anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, and behavioral disorders. Dr. Hessler is trained in cognitive-behavioral and applied behavioral therapy for the treatment of children, adolescents, and adults. Learn more about Dr. Shreya Hessler here.

About Casey Giovanazzi Kutner, M.A., LGPC
Casey Giovanazzi Kutner earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology (2015) and master’s degree in clinical psychology (2020) from Towson University. She has clinical experience working with depression, adjustment disorders, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, hoarding, and sports psychology. She is also trained in cognitive-behavioral and applied behavioral therapy for treating children, adolescents, and adults. Learn more about Casey Giovanazzi Kutner here.