GORHAM, Maine – Join Huskies' Athletics, NAMI Maine and the Wade Millett Memorial Foundation on Saturday, February 8 (12:00 & 2:00 pm) for the Wade Millett Foundation Games during the University of Southern Maine's Little East Conference basketball doubleheader against the WestConn Wolves.
 
Fans are invited to get to know the folks from NAMI Maine and the Wade Millett Memorial Foundation as they share a special message at both games' halftime about mental health, resources, and the memory of No. 15 Wade Millett – a former University of Southern Maine Men's  Basketball Team Captain. In addition to taking in some high-level competition between the Huskies and the Wolves, fans can check out resource booths from both organizations to pick up information, free swag, and enter raffles for both a 50/50 drawing and other awesome prizes!
 
Earlier this academic year, Huskies' Athletics, NAMI Maine, and the Wade Millett Memorial Foundation announced a new partnership to bring mental health education and awareness initiatives to the University of Southern Maine student-athletes, coaches and staff. The new initiative arose from an ongoing partnership between the Wade Millett Memorial Foundation, which was formed to promote positive mental health and suicide prevention in memory of dear friend and USM alumnus Wade Millett, and NAMI Maine, the Maine chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Over the last three years, the Wade Millett Foundation has raised funds for NAMI Maine through its charitable golf tournament, and with this new partnership with Huskies' Athletics and NAMI Maine, the Wade Millett Foundation is able to sponsor mental health initiatives and trainings for USM Athletics.
 
"Our partnership with NAMI Maine and the Wade Millett Memorial Foundation is something we are really proud of, and excited to bring to our student-athletes and coaches," noted Interim Director of Athletics Mike Keller. "Being able to bring additional tools, education and resources to our student-athletes for the benefit of their mental health and well-being is critical.  As a department, we want all of our student-athletes to enjoy a healthy and fulfilling experience while competing at the NCAA Division III level.  This partnership will allow Huskies' Athletics to increase awareness and active bystander skills, improve access to educational resources, and help prevent negative mental health outcomes."
 
As part of the event, University of Southern Maine student-athletes are encouraged to register for an upcoming Mental Health Conversation with NAMI Maine on Wednesday, February 19 (5:00 – 6:30 pm). Generously funded by the Wade Millett Memorial Foundation, the February 19 event for student-athletes will go over the signs and symptoms that someone may be struggling with their mental health, tips for starting supportive conversations, and resources to build resiliency. 
 
 
 
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NAMI Maine, located in Hallowell, is part of the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
Established in 2022 to honor a beloved friend and colleague who tragically died by suicide, the Wade Millett Memorial Foundation aims to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention.

As an NCAA Division III member institution, Huskies' athletics places the highest priority on the overall quality of the educational experience and on the successful completion of all students' academic programs. University of Southern Maine Athletics seeks to establish and maintain an environment in which a student-athlete's athletics activities are conducted as an integral part of the student-athlete's educational experience. USM Athletics achieves this through the five key developmental areas: Academic Achievement, Athletic Performance, Personal Development, Career Development and Service to Community.  An NCAA Division III member, University of Southern Maine supports 23 intercollegiate teams (12 women, 11 men) and nearly 500 student-athletes.
 
 
 
 
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