Great Danes fighting opponents you can’t see

ALBANY, N.Y. ( NEWS10 ) — Last weekend the UAlbany softball team won their hidden opponent game against America East rival Umbc. It was their first conference series win of the season. Senior starters Morgan Petty and Caitlyn Mitros said it was a team effort.

“We’ve been working really hard this year on just staying tough. Umbc’s a great team we all know it, four-time American East champs like it feels sweet and it also is just good because we stuck together, we played our game, and you know we came here to do what we do, said Petty.”

Petty went 1 for 2 at the plate in the win. Mitros went 2 for 4 and scored the game-winning run but she knows they can’t keep this game in their heads for too long.

“It’s just one game,” Mitros said. “We’re also going to see them again in another series, so we know we have plenty of room to grow and just sweep the game move onto the next one that’s kind of our mindset with it.”

On the diamond, they battle the opponent they can see. Off the diamond is where they battle the one you can’t. That’s where the hidden opponent organization steps in.

“The Hidden Opponent is just an organization to kind of be there to support and advocate for student-athletes,” said Mitros. “Mental health and just providing that space for people is something that I find really important and it kind of goes alongside what I’m studying for a career.”

Advocacy and resources go a long way and petty shares that she’s taken advantage of it in her own journey.

“I have a lot of anxiety I’m just going to put it out there and you know for me it was important just knowing that you know I just want to make sure that other athletes have that space to be able to communicate if they’re feeling the same way that we are so, I just think that was my motivation for it and just to know that you have a place here and you’re not alone in whatever you’re fighting,” said Petty.

To help in that fight the UAlbany chapter holds events on campus. Giving student-athletes a chance to unwind from the stress of school and athletics. Chapter president and women’s lacrosse player Ava Poupard, said other student-athletes and staff have supported the efforts.

“Our student-athletes have really come out for all of our events, our administration and coaches really have just bought into all of this and they think it’s just as important as we do,” Poupard said. “When people feel isolated and alone that’s the worst thing to overcome and we have so many resources nowadays that just really help.”

Sophomore Lacrosse stand out Silas Richmond attended one of the recent club events and believes having the Hidden Opponent on campus gives student-athletes an outlet to recenter.

“I think obviously mental health is very important for all college students but especially for athletes, I think it’s not talked about enough, and I think the Hidden Opponents like very important just little things like this to kind of get together and take your mind off sports for a bit and just really enjoy each other’s company,” Richmond said.

These Great Danes believe the hidden opponent has contributed to more awareness across campus and the country, but there’s still more work that needs to be done.

“I just feel like when if we continue breaking the stigma and coming together as one, we can keep moving forward and making a lot of gains towards mental health,” Petty said.

Although the club is still fresh on campus, there is high optimism about its impact on future Great Dane student-athletes.

“I think we just want to keep that stepping stone and have it become even more members in it and create that legacy like Morgan said.”

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