Eugene, OR -  A group of La Salle student-athletes recently represented the Explorers at the Black Student-Athlete Summit, returning to campus with new perspectives, meaningful connections, and a shared commitment to growth and community.

Marionna Logan and Soleil Morrison of the track and field team, Rumbi Zimuto of the field hockey team, and Emya Hillery of the Acrobatics and Tumbling Team took part in the summit in Eugene, Oregon, earlier this summer.

For many of the attendees, the summit provided an opportunity to step outside their comfort zones while embracing new experiences both personally and professionally.
For Zimuto, attending the summit for a second time offered a unique opportunity to build on past experiences.

"Since this was my second time attending the summit, I made a conscious effort to participate in different sessions than the ones I attended last year," Zimuto said. "I was also intentional about building connections with the other student-athletes from both La Salle and other schools, which allowed me to gain new perspectives and expand my network."

One of the standout moments for Zimuto came outside of the traditional sessions.

"One of the highlights of the summit for me was the Nike run," she said. "Due to an injury, I was unable to participate in the physical activities last year, so being able to take part this time was especially meaningful. We also had the opportunity to visit the new Nike store in Eugene, and after the scenic run, we were treated to free ice cream from Handel's, a well-known spot for homemade ice cream."
Beyond the activities, the authenticity of the summit left a lasting impression.

"What I have always appreciated most about the summit is the honesty and openness of the speakers and participants," Zimuto said. "Hearing people speak candidly about where they started, where they are now, and the steps they took - whether intentional or unexpected - makes the experience very unique. Every conversation leaves you with new insights, motivation, and practical tools to pursue your own goals."

Hillery also emphasized the importance of staying engaged throughout the experience.

"I took advantage of this opportunity by staying engaged throughout the summit, taking notes, and taking time to reflect on what I learned afterward. One of my favorite parts was meeting and connecting with other students from all over the country and hearing about their experiences as Black student-athletes."

For Morrison, the summit presented an opportunity to challenge herself in new ways.

"Being a pretty shy person, meeting others isn't my sharpest skill," Morrison added. "So that was one of the things I took most advantage of during our time away, there were tons of really cool people to meet."

Morrison also highlighted the value of the summit's educational programming.

"During our time, there were seminar-like sessions that covered several topics that were culturally and societally relevant to those concerning career to hobbies and interests; and within these sessions there was so much valuable information to be received," she said.

Logan echoed the theme of growth through new experiences, embracing every opportunity presented.

"I took advantage of this opportunity by stepping outside of my comfort zone," Logan said. "By doing so, I had conversations with professionals and fellow student-athlete entrepreneurs, appeared on podcasts, and participated in a documentary. I made the most of every opportunity available to me and focused on building genuine connections."

Logan also took part in one of the summit's more unique experiences.

"One thing I did that I would never have done on my own was participate in a 5K run around the University of Oregon." she said. "As a jumper, I have never run anything longer than 400 meters, so it was definitely a new experience for me."

Across the board, the student-athletes found value in the connections and shared experiences with peers from across the country.

"I also loved being surrounded by other Black student-athletes who shared similar experiences and goals," Logan said. "The breakout sessions were great because they provided practical advice on leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal growth."

As the group returns to La Salle, each student-athlete is focused on bringing back what they learned to benefit the broader campus community.

 "I think experiences like this require you to be fully present and intentional in order to absorb as much as possible", Zimuto added. "This type of event could be extremely beneficial to the La Salle community because it would create meaningful opportunities for alumni, community leaders, and students to connect, learn from one another, and build lasting relationships."

Hillery echoed a similar sentiment centered on growth and support.

"I plan to bring back the knowledge and motivation I gained from BSAS by helping bring Black student-athletes at La Salle together, encouraging growth and support within our community, and motivating each other to grow both personally and professionally," she said.

Morrison hopes to inspire others to take advantage of the opportunity in the future.

"I hope to get a chance to tell other Black student athletes about our experience as encouragement for others back on campus to consider taking advantage of the opportunity as well," Morrison said.
Logan also emphasized the importance of expanding access and building community at La Salle.

"I plan to spread awareness about the Black Student Athlete Summit and encourage more Black students at La Salle University to take advantage of this opportunity," Logan said. "Additionally, I hope to establish a Black Student-Athlete Organization at La Salle University. Through conversations with professionals and supporters at the summit, I gained the confidence and motivation to pursue this goal."

Through their experiences at the Black Student-Athlete Summit, La Salle's student-athletes not only represented the Explorers with pride, but also returned with a renewed commitment to leadership, connection, and community-building on campus and beyond.