SUNY Oneonta athletics would like to recognize the six senior OPROS (Oneonta Players Reaching Other Students) leaders who have helped develop and grow OPROS into the great program it is today. These six seniors have been with the program since it began in 2017 after receiving an NCAA Choices Grant to help encourage college students to make healthy choices. As OPROS leaders, these six seniors have helped guide and lead many other OPROS, developed programs, organized and led events, and more.
 
Let's meet them;
 
Kevin Colella:
Sport: Men's Swim and Dive
Major: Education
Hometown: East Northport
Kevin's experience as an OPROS leader: "Being a part of OPROS has created a significant impact in my college experience as I was able to grow with the program and see how my work affected the organization as well as those that we touched. I was given the opportunity to be an effective leader and learn how to plan and organize programs on both a large and small scale. Most importantly, this experience has allowed me to develop many valuable connections and friendships with those involved in the organization as well as through our programs."

Tori Moulder:
Sport: Volleyball
Major: Biology and Psychology
Hometown: Wantagh
Tori's Experience as an OPROS leader: "I am very grateful to have been a part of OPROS for the past 3 years. I have learned so much and have loved teaching others some important skills and lessons along the way. Being able to help the program grow and develop from the very beginning has been such a privilege."

Rachel Venditti:
Sport: Track and Field
Major: Early Childhood Education
Hometown: Clifton Park
Rachel's Experience as an OPROS leader: "Being an OPROS Leader has been a great experience and has allowed me to combine my love of teaching with athletics and leadership. This program allowed us to provide support and information not only to the freshman student athletes but other students that attend SUNY Oneonta and students from local high schools in the area. I am so grateful to have been a part of this program and feel that OPROS has made a positive impact on our campus and provided helpful information to many students."

Olivia Allrich:
Sport: Women's basketball
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Ballston Spa
Olivia's Experience as an OPROS leader: "Since year 1, I have had the pleasure of being an OPRO. My time as an OPRO has been very valuable, with each new week making me a better leader to be able to help the mentors and their mentees. I have had the pleasure of presenting every month and being able to explore and extend the messages that are very valuable to hear as you go through your college life. My time with OPROS will make me a better leader in the future and allow me to be a better person all around. Life is all about the moments of impact and how they change our lives forever."

Julia Calabro
Sport: Softball
Major: Childhood and Family Studies
Hometown: Wantagh
Julia's experience as an OPROS leader: "Being an OPRO for the last years has given me so many opportunities so meet many people within the athletic department while working with many coaches and reaching so many students at Oneonta. The program has allowed me to work closely with four other athletes on planning, designing and implement new ways to teach alcohol awareness to students in an effective way through interactive programs. OPROS has given me the opportunity to amplify my college career by setting a positive example for student athletes but also being someone, they can talk to if need be.

Jess Kehoe:
Sport: Field Hockey
Major: Biology
Hometown: Greene
Jess' experience as an OPROS leader: "I am forever grateful for my time as a leader of this amazing group. OPROS taught me valuable information that I can pass on to others. Being a leader has helped me enhance my skills and learn even more along the way. I was given amazing opportunity through this program and I will forever be thankful.
 
Events/accomplishments of the 6 OPROS leaders:
- Apple Conference Participants: Tori Moulder and Jess Kehoe
- Freshman Dorm Tabling events: (18 events - in 3 years)
- Red Watch Band Trainings: (hosted at least 3 events each)
- High School events (included tabling and RWB): Traveled to Edmeston and Oneonta HS 6 times. Held an on-campus HS event, including tabling and RWB for (4) Different schools - (75 students).
- Participated in D3 week tabling event
- Assisted AOD counselor in events on campus
- Lead (5) OPROS Leadership Academy Sessions - supported OPROS mentorship program
- Develop a weekly flyer for use during the adjustment to the virtual semester

About OPROS
SUNY OPROS (Oneonta Players Reaching Other Students), is a peer/mentor program of 1 to 2 athletes from each athletic team. OPROS are trained to facilitate active and passive programming to other students with an emphasis in reaching athletes, new students (first year and transfer), and local high school students.
 
The objectives of the OPROS peer mentor/educator program are to:
1. Reduce the frequency of high-risk drinking (5 or more drinks at a sitting).
2. Increase student athlete awareness about alcohol and its effects on athletic performance.
3. Enhance normative education to new students during orientation.
4. Establish a six-week, intensive OPROS outreach effort in the six residence halls that house new students.
5. Provide comprehensive alcohol education to local high school students.

Rebecca Harrington on the OPROS program:
"My involvement with OPROS has brought so many positive facets to my life, and I say that because it has brought a whole new level to my work life, but I think it is a program that has affected my personal experience in a positive way too. I've been blessed in my years at SUNY Oneonta to have had this kind of experience more than once, but not so many times. I can recognize something special when I am living it, but I appreciate the rare nature of it as well.
 
When I meet within the circle of college health promotion professionals, they are always amazed at the relationship I have with athletics. I have witnessed how the leadership within Athletics values the health and wellness of student athletes, and the quick rise and success of the OPROS program proves it more than any data on a year-end report ever could.
 
The issues that the OPROS have provided leadership in tackling, alcohol and now mental health, are completely intertwined with student success. We know that students respond differently to health messages received from their peers as opposed to faculty. I think the OPROS program has just capitalized on so many strengths. You've increased the capacity and reach of alcohol education and I'm so excited to see what the future holds."