Seton Hall Hosts Sport at the Service of Humanity Conference

Seton Hall University welcomed leaders in athletics, media, education and faith from across the country to its South Orange campus November 4–6 for the Sport at the Service of Humanity (SSH) Conference, a three-day gathering exploring how sports can foster inclusion, strengthen communities and inspire positive social change.

Held under the theme “Communication, Collaboration, Community: Sport at the Service of Humanity,” the conference featured prominent sports executives, journalists, educators and student-athletes examining the intersection of athletics, faith, storytelling and service.

Developed in consultation with the Vatican Dicastery for Culture and Education, the conference advanced the mission of the Sport at the Service of Humanity initiative, which emphasizes three pillars: Inspiration, Inclusion and Involvement.

Monsignor Joseph R. Reilly, S.T.L., president of Seton Hall 

University, delivered a keynote address highlighting the role of athletics in promoting peace, inclusion and integral human formation. Reflecting on the Catholic Church’s longstanding support for sports, he emphasized the importance of keeping athletics accessible to everyone.

“Every person belongs,” Monsignor Reilly said. “We have a moral imperative to ensure that sports are accessible to all.”

“We are made in God's image and understand that our bodies are made in His image,” he added, connecting participation in sports with the dignity of the human person.

Bringing Together Leaders in Sports and Media
The conference opened with welcoming remarks from Val Ackerman, former BIG EAST Conference commissioner and founding president of the WNBA, and David Eades, broadcaster and board director of the Sport at the Service of Humanity Foundation.

Bob Ley ’76, award-winning sports journalist and founder of the University’s groundbreaking Center for Sports Media, delivered the opening keynote address.

Throughout the conference, panel discussions explored the responsibilities of sports organizations, media professionals and educational institutions in advancing the common good.

“Hosting the Sport at the Service of Humanity Conference provided Seton Hall with a tremendous opportunity to gather leaders from across athletics, media, education and faith to meditate together on the power of sports to make a positive difference in our contemporary world,” said Bryan Crable, Ph.D., dean of the College of Human Development, Culture and Media and conference co-chair.

“Narratives That Serve: Storytelling, Sports and the Common Good” featured Corey Leff, founder of JohnWallStreet; Josh Oshinsky of ESPN; and award-winning journalist Sarah Spain, examining the influence of sports storytelling. The panel was moderated by Benjamin Pincus, associate dean for assessment and external engagement in the Stillman School of Business.

A discussion on “Major League Social Initiatives” was moderated by Jonathan Farina, Ph.D., dean of Seton Hall's College of Arts and Sciences, and brought together Ethan Medley of the New York Giants and Andrew Simon, executive director of the Buccino Leadership Institute, to explore how sports organizations can contribute to positive social change.

Robert Boland, assistant professor of law, moderated a panel exploring the broader social and cultural significance of athletics with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author David Maraniss and College Football Hall of Fame member Don McPherson.

Athletics, Faith and Servant Leadership
Reflecting Seton Hall's Catholic mission, the conference also emphasized athletics' role in developing leaders committed to serving others.

A panel on “Servant Leadership Through Athletics,” moderated by Bryan Felt, director of athletics and recreation, featured graduate student and former student-athlete Stephen Beaman; Ghana Imani Hylton, director of campus inclusion; women's tennis head coach James Enzler; and women's volleyball student-athlete Loukia Papadakos.

Additional programming included a spotlight session with Tatum Colitz, senior associate athletics director for compliance and student-athlete development, and discussions about connecting campus athletics with community engagement.

Attendees also experienced Seton Hall's Catholic and athletic traditions firsthand, participating in Mass in the University's Chapel and watching the men's basketball team defeat Long Island University (LIU) in historic Walsh Gymnasium.

Advancing the Mission of Sport
The final day featured a panel on connecting campus athletics with community initiatives, including representatives from New Jersey Youth Soccer and Seton Hall student media, as well as a keynote address from Ackerman. Faculty-led programming also explored the role of sports in the academic curriculum at the University.

“The conference was a wonderful opportunity to bring together diverse perspectives on the role of sports in building stronger, more inclusive communities,” said Leigh Onimus, assistant provost for academic affairs and strategic initiatives and conference co-chair. “We were proud to welcome leaders from across the country to Seton Hall and foster meaningful conversations that reflect our University's mission and values.”

By bringing together leaders from across the country, Seton Hall reinforced its commitment to the integration of faith, education and service while advancing the Sport at the Service of Humanity initiative's central mission: harnessing the power of athletics to inspire individuals, foster inclusion and strengthen communities.

Categories: Faith and Service