FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Three Fairfield University men's soccer student-athletes attended the 2025 Black Student-Athlete Summit in Chicago, Ill. Jordan Blunschi, Daunte Tulloch, and Marques Nana-Sinkam represented Fairfield during the three-day event that brought coaches, student-athletes, and professionals to the national event.

The summit offered attendees sessions on topics such as Executive Leadership, Social Impact, Mental Health, and Career Development, providing the foundation for life beyond sport and within their communities. The event also featured networking opportunities as well as panels led by industry leaders, giving student-athletes direct access to mentors and professionals.

"These sessions challenged me to think about my influence beyond athletics and the responsibility we have as Black athletes to understand the systems we operate in," Blunschi said.

The Fairfield contingent found that their experience provided a key theme which was that a sense of belonging matters, a point that they emphasized through their message of the not just fitting in but to thrive by creating inclusive environments where student-athletes feel seen, supported, and empowered.

"A point that resonated with me was to make sure you express yourself and let yourself be heard," Tulloch said.

The student-athletes will now look to use their experience to build stronger bonds among their teammates, support conversations regarding mental health, and create initiatives that promote equity and representation.

"We hoped to bring back a heightened sense of leadership in the locker room by understanding our teammates better and learning how to bring out the best in them," Nana-Sinkam said.

Head Coach Krystian Witkowski agrees that the trio gained the experience and the tools that will help them as they continue their pursuits as student-athletes and members of the community.

"Our student-athletes returned with a sense of purpose to foster stronger team bonds, support mental health conversations, and advocate for initiatives that promote equity and representation," Head Coach Krystian Witkowski said. "We are proud of our student-athletes—not only for how they compete, but for how they lead. Their voices, vision, and values are shaping the future of our program and enriching the wider university community."