During his time at SUNY Oneonta, Class of 2024 alumnus Graham Wooden was the epitome of a leader: captain of the men's basketball team, active in clubs and within his major, working an on-campus job, mentoring young athletes, and earning the prestigious SUNY Chancellor’s Award.
With a new bachelor's degree and growing fitness consultation business, Graham is now being recognized for his leadership on a much larger stage as one of 20 regional recipients of ESPN’s Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award, which "celebrates and honors young people who are using the power of sport as a catalyst for change and making a positive impact on society."
The 2024 ESPN Sports Humanitarian Awards (ESPYs) in Los Angeles, California, will air live on ABC on July 11 at 8 p.m. ET.
“Graham’s dedication to supporting adapted athletes and creating positive, safe and educational sport programs for members of the community is admirable,” said Professor of Sport and Exercise Science Katherine Griffes. “ Graham embodies the definition of sportsmanship, with a focus on leadership and service to his team and community. He is a role model to all around him, setting the standard for coach and mentor behaviors for his peers, and serves as someone that young athletes can, and do, look up to."
Learn more about Graham's time at SUNY Oneonta, in his own words:
Why Oneonta
Oneonta made it easy to transfer here. All my credits transferred from my school in Pennsylvania, and everyone here helped me throughout the process.
There aren’t many Exercise Science programs in the state, either, so that was a factor. I was impressed with how hands-on the program is at SUNY Oneonta. You can apply the information you learn in class, whether in labs or community service.
The campus is relatively small, and I like how they organize the Exercise Science classes. You're only getting about 20 people in a class, so you get to know your professors well. It’s like a big family.
My Activities
I’m on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), captain of the men’s basketball team, member of the Exercise Science Club, and a mentor in Oneonta Players Reaching Other Students, which is a program where athletes from each team aid in alcohol education.
SAAC is a subgroup of NCAA legislation. We get to vote on some of the rules and regulations implemented by the NCAA. It’s cool because you’re getting into sports politics, representing your team and other athletes. I like being a leader and representing my peers.
This summer, I have an internship at a local outpatient clinic called Connect Physical Therapy with Dr. Chelsea Leahy. She's allowing me to be vocal, and when it comes to a patient’s recovery process, I can give her ideas about some exercises we can incorporate and run the patients through them. It’s very hands-on, and that's what I love about the opportunities in this area. A lot of the clinics want you immersed in the process.
Why Exercise Science
I want to be a physical therapist after I graduate and go to a physical therapy school to dive deep into the specifics of the human body. That attracted me toward Exercise Science, which ultimately made me decide to transfer and change my major.
I've been lucky to be able to help design activities for an adapted basketball clinic, a collaboration between SUNY Oneonta and EDD Adaptive Sport, a non-profit organization that offers adaptive sports programs to children and adults with any disability. My senior year, I received a student research grant funded by the SUNY Oneonta Foundation and SUNY Oneonta Alumni Foundation to co-develop a national online training program on educating volunteers working with athletes with disabilities.
Favorite Classes
I really like Sports Psychology with Dr. Katie Griffes. That course is about the mind-to-body connection and how psychological aspects can affect someone's performance at all levels of athletics.
I also like Biomechanics because that gets into the physics of sports performance and human movement.
Advice for Transfer Students
Transferring is a big decision, to begin with, but if you’re ready for that change, it’s definitely worth it. I don’t regret switching schools at all, and Oneonta really makes it easy to transfer.
Once you make that decision and you’re here at Oneonta, just give it some time. It will take a while to immerse yourself in the traditions and culture here. It took me some time to develop relationships with my peers in and outside my major.
Being yourself is so important, and Oneonta allows you to do that. You have unlimited opportunities, so seize them and figure out what you want to do with your time here. Once you figure that out, find those people who will put you on the right track.