Photo by: GoDucks.com
Eugene Hosts Black Student-Athlete Summit
05/29/26 | General
A premier development workshop nationally was held in Eugene on May 20-23, showcasing prominent Ducks.
EUGENE, Ore. — Ten years after founding the Black Student-Athlete Summit, Dr. Leonard Moore was visiting Eugene in 2025 to meet with potential supporters of the event.
The BSAS was founded in 2015 to provide participants with mentorship in career development, financial literacy and wellness activities. It has been hosted in major cities around the country, and Moore was only in Eugene to meet with possible sponsors. But his focus quickly shifted.
"Oh," thought Moore, a history professor at Texas, "we need to host it here."
Fast forward a year: Eugene and the University of Oregon were indeed hosts of the BSAS, which was held May 20-23. UO football quarterback Dante Moore was named BSAS Student-Athlete of the Year, both university president Karl Scholz and head football coach Dan Lanning made presentations to participants, and UO senior associate athletic director for culture & engagement Da'Mon Merkerson was named BSAS Professional of the Year.
The Black Student-Athlete Summit, founded in 2015 with 70 attendees, has grown into one of the most prominent gatherings in college athletics, drawing as many as 1,750 participants at its peak. The four-day event brought together student-athletes, administrators and thought leaders from across the country for a series of conversations, workshops, and community-building opportunities centered on this year's theme: Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), mental health, and career development.
Dante Moore was recognized for his leadership beyond the game, including the creation of a children's book and a powerful letter to the Oregon governor that addresses mental health awareness. Merkerson, who pitched Dr. Moore on bringing the event to Eugene during the 2025 BSAS in Chicago, was honored for his leadership and commitment to serving student-athletes and athletic department staff.
Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens along with president Karl Scholz backed the effort, with Scholz delivering opening remarks at a welcome event at the Graduate Hotel. Lanning delivered the closing keynote, speaking about leadership, authenticity and building a culture in which student-athletes can thrive. He emphasized the importance of trust and preparing athletes for success after their playing careers end.
Dante Moore was one of eight Oregon student-athletes who took the stage during the four-day summit. Acrobatics and tumbling athletes Blessyn McMorris, Nicole Jackson and Morgan Hood joined football players Brandon Finney and Ziyarre Addison, track and field's Fuad Omer and women's soccer player Bryana Pizarro in sharing their stories with participants from across the country. Their conversations centered on identity, NIL, mental health and life after college athletics.
The BSAS was founded in 2015 to provide participants with mentorship in career development, financial literacy and wellness activities. It has been hosted in major cities around the country, and Moore was only in Eugene to meet with possible sponsors. But his focus quickly shifted.
"Oh," thought Moore, a history professor at Texas, "we need to host it here."
Fast forward a year: Eugene and the University of Oregon were indeed hosts of the BSAS, which was held May 20-23. UO football quarterback Dante Moore was named BSAS Student-Athlete of the Year, both university president Karl Scholz and head football coach Dan Lanning made presentations to participants, and UO senior associate athletic director for culture & engagement Da'Mon Merkerson was named BSAS Professional of the Year.
The Black Student-Athlete Summit, founded in 2015 with 70 attendees, has grown into one of the most prominent gatherings in college athletics, drawing as many as 1,750 participants at its peak. The four-day event brought together student-athletes, administrators and thought leaders from across the country for a series of conversations, workshops, and community-building opportunities centered on this year's theme: Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), mental health, and career development.
Dante Moore was recognized for his leadership beyond the game, including the creation of a children's book and a powerful letter to the Oregon governor that addresses mental health awareness. Merkerson, who pitched Dr. Moore on bringing the event to Eugene during the 2025 BSAS in Chicago, was honored for his leadership and commitment to serving student-athletes and athletic department staff.
Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens along with president Karl Scholz backed the effort, with Scholz delivering opening remarks at a welcome event at the Graduate Hotel. Lanning delivered the closing keynote, speaking about leadership, authenticity and building a culture in which student-athletes can thrive. He emphasized the importance of trust and preparing athletes for success after their playing careers end.
Dante Moore was one of eight Oregon student-athletes who took the stage during the four-day summit. Acrobatics and tumbling athletes Blessyn McMorris, Nicole Jackson and Morgan Hood joined football players Brandon Finney and Ziyarre Addison, track and field's Fuad Omer and women's soccer player Bryana Pizarro in sharing their stories with participants from across the country. Their conversations centered on identity, NIL, mental health and life after college athletics.
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