Mental health awareness has become more commonplace in the world of sports in recent memory, and that’s also the case when it comes to law enforcement. The profession has seen a high rate of suicide incidents per capita along with increased rates of post-traumatic stress and depression. In Tompkins County, they’ve joined forces and used the power of sports to champion a good cause.
On July 26, four local law enforcement organizations convened at Ithaca College for the 3rd Annual First Responder Charity Softball Tournament. The four groups that took part were the Ithaca College Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management, the Cornell University Police Department, the Ithaca Police Department, and the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office.
All proceeds from the event went to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention chapter that covers both Tompkins and Cortland counties. This year’s goal was to raise $6,000. In the weeks leading up to the tournament, they had already surpassed that tally. They’ve continued to be the largest donor for that chapter. Scott Garin, Ithaca College Executive Director and Chief of Public Safety, knows it would not have been possible without the strong backing from the community.
“We have a lot of support for the first responders in their role and a lot of support for the impact of mental health on our communities that we serve,” Garin said. “We’ve had some really great sponsors that we have been able to have donated to this cause on behalf of our mission. Our platinum sponsors—Texas Roadhouse of Ithaca, Cops, Kids & Toys, Mills Electric, and Ferguson Electric—have been huge sponsors and helped us get to the point that we’re going to really make a significant contribution to a foundation that is going to raise awareness of this cause, educate the public, and then provide resources to families that have been impacted by it.”
With dozens of spectators of all ages sitting in the Kostrinsky Field stands, Ithaca College Public Safety was able to successfully defend its “home field” and come out on top. After going 2-1 in round-robin play, the Bombers faced reigning winners Cornell PD in the championship game.
The Big Red had pulled off two comeback victories in order to get to the final, overturning an 11-run deficit against Ithaca PD before scoring seven runs in the final inning against the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office. But it was one comeback too many for the Big Red as the Bombers prevailed 15-9.
KP McClain wasn’t able to play last year for IC Public Safety. But he played a big part in the Bombers’ triumph this time around as their pitcher. McClain pointed to multiple factors that led to the Bombers’ first charity softball title.
“[It’s] just making sure we were able to play together and communicate,” McClain said. “I play a lot of softball, so [it’s] helping the guys out, our players being in the right spot. We just pull together. It was a great team effort.”
McClain has been a patrol officer for IC Public Safety for nine years. That experience combined with his vast coaching background at Ithaca College, Ithaca High School and Groton, he has seen firsthand how athletics, law enforcement and mental health intersect.
“It’s important that we share the knowledge and educate and just remind people that if they need someone, regardless if it’s law enforcement or just someone to talk to, we are all here for them,” McClain said. “It’s very important that we all lean on each other, regardless if we’re strangers or not.”
Another person who knows very well about the impact of mental health and sports is Ithaca College Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation Aaron Bouyea. He volunteered his time as an umpire, and he recognizes the value of shining a spotlight on a worthy endeavor.
“I think we’re all touched by it in one way or another,” Bouyea said. “One of the really important things is to be comfortable talking about it, and events like this bring it out to the forefront, allows people to have conversations, and makes people feel being okay, not being okay. I think the goal is to be able to bring that awareness, get help and support and resources for people, and have them feel comfortable about doing it.”
Elyse Nepa, IC Public Safety’s assistant director of Clery Act and prevention education also played a massive role, doing the lion’s share of organizing and logistics to help the event run smoothly. Thanks to the efforts of Nepa and so many other volunteers, it was yet another successful tournament that is sure to raise even more funds and more awareness in the years to come.
“It’s really an entire collegiate effort from everyone at the college to put this on and to facilitate it,” Garin said. “We’re happy to host the other agencies, and they get a chance to see how beautiful our campus is from Kostrinsky Field and the audience that comes to watch us get to see how beautiful the campus is. It’s just a really great environment to host such a meaningful event.”
