Oswego, NY - The SUNY Oswego Lakers are excited to announce their Partnership with " A Long Talk". 
 
SUNY Oswego Athletics is strengthening its commitment to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and engaged community through a new partnership with A Long Talk. Building on the meaningful in-person training completed in the Spring by Lakers administrators, student-athletes, coaches, and staff, the partnership will expand opportunities for honest dialogue and personal reflection during the 2026–27 academic year. 
 
A Long Talk helps colleges, universities, and athletic departments begin the honest conversations necessary to address systemic challenges and create meaningful change. Recognizing the influential role of higher education and intercollegiate athletics in shaping future leaders, the organization provides a supportive framework for student-athletes, coaches, staff, and campus partners to engage in open dialogue, learning, and reflection. Through practical tools and action-oriented experiences, participants are encouraged to move from passive awareness to active leadership—building more inclusive teams, strengthening campus culture, and creating a lasting impact within their institutions and communities. 
 
"This partnership reflects our commitment to developing student-athletes not only as competitors, but also as informed, compassionate leaders," said Wendy McManus, Assistant Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics. "A Long Talk provides our student-athletes, coaches, and staff with a supportive environment to engage in honest conversations, reflect on their own experiences, and gain practical tools to create meaningful change. Athletics has a unique ability to bring people together, and we want to use that influence to build stronger teams, a more inclusive department, and a campus community where everyone feels valued." 

A Long Talk has partnered with colleges and universities such as Ohio State, UCLA, Michigan, and Oregon, as well as professional sports organizations including the Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, and San Francisco 49ers.
 "We are excited that SUNY Oswego joins the growing list of universities that have partnered with A Long Talk. Together we can make this the more perfect union that is promised to the next generation of Americans." Kamal Carter, president of A Long Talk.

Beginning this fall, SUNY Oswego Athletics will hold training sessions for student-athletes, coaches, and staff across all 22 varsity programs. The initiative will provide continued opportunities for learning, reflection, dialogue, and action throughout the academic year while empowering Lakers to become active change makers on their teams, across campus, and within their communities.