The
Black Student-Athlete Summit took over Chicago from May 21-24 with a large contingent of student-athletes and administrators from The Big West in attendance. Tabbed as more than an event, but rather a catalyst for success, the BSAS unites student-athletes, athletic professionals, and industry innovators to engage in dynamic programming such as career development sessions, financial literacy workshops, and wellness activities designed to prepare the student-athletes for life beyond sports. The speaker lineup included notable sports figures like Chiney Ogwumike, Baron Davis, Renee Montgomery, Rich Paul and more.
Representatives from four Big West member-institutions spent four days in the Windy City. UC San Diego sent seven student-athletes as well as SAAC advisor
Charity Anderson. Triton competitors as the summit included a bevy of track & field student-athletes in
Tamara Aimufia,
Destinee Jones,
Leila Kepler,
Lauren McBride and
Logan Shojgreen along with swimmer
Danielle Greenwood and women’s basketball student-athlete and Big West champion
Parker Montgomery.
Long Beach State track and field student-athlete D
aryana Hall was joined by four from UC Davis in
Ryann Bennett (women’s basketball),
Zaire Collier (football),
Kadidja Sangara (track & field) and
Damon Wrighster (football).
For CSUN, the trio of
Daniel Harper,
Jabari Vaughn and
Sydney Wilson made the trek to the Midwest. The Matadors reflected on their experiences not only as attendees, but also as presenters and award-winners as 2025 Student Organization of the Year for the CSUN BSAA, an organization created and spearheaded by Vaughn. Harper and Vaughn are a freshman/senior sprinting tandem on the track & field team and Wilson just completed redshirt freshman season on the CSUN women’s tennis squad while serving as CSUN BSAA vice president.
Tell us about CSUN BSAA!
Vaughn - CSUN BSAA (Black Student Athlete Association) is an organization that I started last year with the purpose of creating a support system for student-athletes on and off the field of play while also building unity throughout the Black community. When I first came to CSUN, I instantly noticed the disconnect between Black student-athletes on campus and being at a PWI (predominantly white institution), I feel like us being united is EVERYTHING. Last February, I had the privilege of speaking on a panel during Black History Month, and this is where I met Dr. Cedric Hackett, my organization advisor. Within a month of us meeting I had the organization officially legitimized and recognized on campus and he has given me an abundance of support ever since.
As I also attended the 2024 Black Student Athlete Summit at USC last May, and this is where I met my Executive Board:
Sydney Wilson,
Jadin Williams,
Joey Nations and
Summer Mosley. This amazing summit gave us the tools needed to bring back to CSUN and get to work. We were very intentional with how the organization functions, as we wanted to give Black student-athletes a place to build community but also include an educational aspect on things. We hosted a game night to bring Black student-athletes together in friendly competition, and a Know YOUR Rights Workshop to educate students on their legal rights when dealing with law enforcement. Lastly, we hosted a barbeque that collaborated with 10+ other Black organizations on campus to bridge the gap between student-athletes and the Black community on campus at CSUN.
At the first BSAA meeting last year, we had less than 10 people attend, which was discouraging in the beginning, but with consistency, we grew the organization to around 30 people.
What does it mean to you personally to have won the 2025 Student Organization of the Year award?
Vaughn - When we started CSUN BSAA, we never thought of the awards and accolades. The mission was to address a need and make a difference in people’s lives. Winning the 2025 Student Organization of the Year award is deeply meaningful on a personal level. Starting an organization from scratch requires a tremendous amount of hard work, patience and dedication. Dreams to Reality. There are many things that people DO NOT see behind the scenes of what it takes to run an organization on a college campus. For example, creating a 15-page Constitution for your organization and the mandatory required trainings that are not the most fun. It also involves countless hours of planning, bringing in members, organizing events, all while balancing the student-athlete life and having my own personal busy schedule.
Receiving this award speaks that the organization's mission and activities have had a positive impact on the community and have been recognized on a national level. It's a moment of accomplishment, knowing that the organization has made a difference on and off campus. This award serves as motivation to continue striving for excellence and to further expand the organization’s legacy. The job is not finished.
How has CSUN BSAA impacted you?
Wilson - CSUN BSAA has truly impacted me in ways I never could have expected. Being able to host, lead, and sponsor events that created such a strong and beautiful community has been so fulfilling. Successfully educating or connecting fellow Black student-athletes on campus gave me purpose and helped create an environment where we are bigger than just ourselves. Being a member and on the board of leadership has given me skills to learn how to build a community, but also has just created so much joy by being able to spend time with likeminded individuals who have shared similar experience to me.
Harper - CSUN BSAA has created a safe haven for athletes like myself to feel comfortable and allowed space for open and honest conversations.
What did you do and see in Chicago, in addition to the Summit?
Vaughn - This was actually my first time in Chicago! I heard great things about Chicago and it honestly reminded me San Francisco in a way. We saw the Bean, the Chicago sign and attended a Chicago Sky game where we saw Angel Reese play in person. The hospitality shown by the Chicagoans was also very positive, whether it be from the uber drivers or restaurant workers.
I will never forget my teammate Daniel Harper and I were taking flics with the Bean with our iPhones and of course the quality of the pictures were only decent. A random guy walked up to us with a professional camera and asked to take our pictures for FREE! Honestly, we thought we weren’t going to receive these pictures but in less than 12 hours, he kept his word and sent us the pictures. Even though this encounter might have seemed small, it meant more than it was.
What were some impactful moments or sessions while you were at the Summit?
Harper - My biggest takeaway was when one of the speakers said “as athletes we die twice”. This really hit home as sometimes when we are successful in our sports we forget that we have to build a life for ourselves outside of sport. It was honestly really eye opening seeing these ex collegiate athletes who have now turned to the corporate world and are now very successful.
Wilson - Every year the Summit curates a unique line up to address issues and topics that are extremely present to athletes of color. Every session and activity holds an extremely special place in my heart. One session that deeply impacted me was the pre-law session hosted by one of the biggest law firms in the country (DLA Piper). The Black Student-Athlete Summit led an intimate open forum session with the CEO of this law firm and some of his associates. This session gave us the opportunity to pick their brain about law school and other similar questions, and we also got to connect and network with the leaders of DLA Piper. As an aspiring attorney, this gave me guidance and further inspired me to pursue my dreams post tennis.
What was it like being together with other student-athletes from schools that you compete against not only in The Big West, but around the country? Did you make any new and notable connections?
Vaughn - We had a great opportunity to fellowship with one another. This was my first time really hanging out with people from The Big West in one big group. I see The Big West as a family, because although we compete against each other on a competitive level in our conference, at the summit we made sure to look out for each other. I’d like to give a special shoutout to Ms. Charity from UCSD, because although we didn’t have an administrator on the trip with us, she played the role of providing guidance for us.
Being in this space was surreal because I had the opportunity to sit back and realize we are all Black student-athletes that come from different backgrounds and upbringings. We are all considered our ‘Neighborhood Heros’ and we share unique challenges that only a certain percentage would understand.
Sydney Wilson and I also had the privilege of giving a presentation at the summit called ‘We Built a Black Student Athlete Org on our Campus’. The student athletes who attended are also interested in building their Black Student-Athlete organization and were seeking the roadmap from their peers. This is where I met Daryana Hall who is also a Big West athlete at Long Beach State who is currently in the process of creating a Black Student Athlete Organization on her campus!
What is a favorite memory or lesson that you are taking back?
Wilson - My favorite memory was getting the opportunity to host a session and be awarded for Student Organization of the Year. When I became Vice President of the CSUN BSAA, we did it to create a legacy at CSUN that we want to live on for generations. Being able to speak and host our own session at the summit to help other Black student-athletes start an organization was so fulfilling. There is nothing that makes me more happy that knowing that we helped other Black student-athletes learn the tools to build communities on their campus. I also feel so blessed and grateful that we were awarded for the work we’ve done at the CSUN BSAA, and hope that we inspired more student athletes to try to start their own affinity groups at their own universities.
Harper - My favorite memory that I am taking back is honestly being able to now have connections with other athletes of color all across the country. We spent many long days soaking in information and long nights growing a sense of community within ourselves.
As a senior, what's next for you?
Vaughn - I plan on graduating next semester. After I graduate, I plan on going to grad school to get my MBA in Marketing. I have a passion for marketing (brand marketing, graphic design, advertising, etc.). With that being said, I plan on seeking opportunities in this field as I recently obtained a summer internship in brand marketing in the Bay Area.
Although my track and field career concluded a couple weeks ago, I plan on still guiding my organization CSUN BSAA since I still have a little time left on campus and hopefully doing sports marketing for CSUN Athletics. My main purpose is to inspire others in whatever I do and making a positive impact wherever I go. Although only three student-athletes attended the BSA summit from CSUN this year, A goal of mine is to fund 7+ student-athletes next year to attend the BSA Summit because I feel that this event is vital for all Black student-athletes to experience.
Anything more that you want to share?
Wilson - The Black Student-Athlete Summit has been an experience my group and I will never forget. It was such an incredible experience to be able to attend a conference with 700 other Black student-athletes from all around the country and learn about topics ranging from financial literacy, mental health, career planning, NIL, and even injury recovery. I highly recommend all institutions, conferences, and even players to push for the opportunity to attend! California State University of Northridge sponsored myself and others to attend and because of that we got to experience a once in a lifetime opportunity. I feel extremely thankful that CSUN sent us even though it was all the way in Chicago this year.
Harper - In only my first year I have already noticed how CSUN and The Big West are encouraging these safe spaces and it makes being a student-athlete that much easier.
Vaughn - I’d like to thank Dr. Moore, Ryan Sutton and the BSA Summit for everything that they have done for my peers and me. This amazing summit inspired us in many ways that I will use for the rest of my life. I can call the BSA Summit our forever family and know that they are only a phone call or email away. I’d also like to thank the members of CSUN BSAA, Dr. Cedric Hackett, Coach Jacob Yowell, and Coach Demetrius Snaer for all playing a role in my athletic and leadership path here at CSUN.