LOGAN, Utah – Utah State University Vice President and Director of Athletics Diana Sabau announced Friday the hiring of Olivia Huffman as the department's first Director of Mental Wellness.
"Adding Olivia to the multiple resources available to our student-athletes is a critical next step in the growth of our department," said Sabau. "Providing our student-athletes with opportunities to develop athletically, academically and personally is at the forefront of our mission. Olivia will enhance our protocols and collaboration with other mental health professionals, both on campus and in our community."
Huffman is an Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Utah and is passionate about advocating for mental health and serving student-athlete populations. As a member of USU's Counseling and Prevention Services, she strives to create safe spaces for student-athletes. Her clinical interests include transitions in and out of sport, identity development, body image and disordered eating, recovering from injury, trauma, anxiety and depression.
"I am honored to join the athletic department as a mental health therapist and mental performance consultant," Huffman said. "This position has been my dream since I was a college student-athlete. Supporting our student-athletes in their mental well-being is crucial for their success in academics, sport, and life. Together, we'll create a safe space for open conversations and foster resilience, helping them thrive in their athletic pursuits and personal lives."
Huffman's work is rooted in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which aims to empower everyone to live according to their cultural values and take action towards holistic wellness. She is an active member of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology and the American Counseling Association.
"We are excited to deepen our relationship with athletics by hiring a clinician specifically assigned to serve student-athletes," said Eri Bentley, Director of Counseling and Psychological Services at Utah State University. "We are fortunate to have Olivia, whose personal experience as a former DI athlete, combined with her formal education in both sports psychology and mental health counseling, makes her the perfect professional for this role. As the Director of Mental Wellness for Athletics, student-athletes have access to someone who not only understands their unique needs but also has the professional expertise to help them perform at their best in both sports and academics."
Huffman began her mental wellness career at the University of Kentucky, where she received a bachelor's degree in psychology with a certificate in social science research in 2021. There, she competed all four years for Kentucky's swim team and helped the Wildcats win their first-ever SEC swimming and diving championship in 2021. She earned numerous accolades, including CSCAA Scholar All-American Honorable Mention (2021), UK's Frank G. Ham Society of Character Award, UK's Top Ten Community Service Award and 1A Faculty Athletics Representative Academic Excellence Award. She then attended Ball State University and graduated with master's degrees in clinical mental health counseling as well as in sport and exercise psychology in 2024.
Before coming to Utah State, Huffman founded and operated LIV Undefeated Mental Performance Consulting, LLC in Indianapolis, Indiana. She has provided mental skills training to individuals and teams at various levels including NCAA Division I and III, national and Olympic qualifiers, professional and semi-professional, performing artists and youth.
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