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Across college athletics, conversations surrounding mental health have become just as important as training and performance. Student-athletes are learning to balance the pressures of competition, academics, and personal well-being while striving to meet the high demands of collegiate sport. Recognizing that balance, Curry College Athletics partnered with NDUR, a wellness app built to help athletes manage stress and build stronger habits of self-care.
NDUR is a mental wellness platform designed specifically for athletes, combining technology and sports psychology to provide practical support for daily mental performance. The app offers daily check-ins that help athletes track their mood and stress levels, guided reflections to process challenges and setbacks, and “Huddles,” which are anonymous forums where athletes can share experiences and offer support.
“I’m so excited to provide this platform for our student-athletes and introduce them to tools they might not have tried before, like meditation, yoga, evening stretching, mindfulness, and more,” said Dr. Pete Mendel, Assistant Athletic Director and Head Men’s Soccer Coach, who helped lead the NDUR partnership. “They can use these resources on their own time in the comfort of their own rooms and experience real benefits. It’s rewarding to hear students tell me how the app is helping them with everything from sleep to diet and beyond.”
And the numbers speak for themselves: since the launch, over 70% of Curry student-athletes have utilized the platform. Coaches and staff said they have noticed more open conversations about mental health and mindset among teams. Athletes are using the app to reflect after practices and games, and to connect with peers going through similar challenges.
“The feature I rely on the most is the Huddles feature,” said Reilly Ganter ’26 of the women’s ice hockey team. “It’s a safe, anonymous place for athletes to connect on their feelings and see that whatever they’re going through, they’re not alone.” And not only can athletes anonymously connect with their own peers, but they can receive advice from athletes around the world across all divisions of competition.
For others, the daily check-in has become part of their routine. Carl Monplaisir ’26, a senior on the men’s basketball team, explains, “I rely most on the daily check-in feature. It helps me stay aware of my mood and stress levels, which keeps me consistent with my mental health routine.”
Besides the virtual benefits, NDUR also hosts several in-person meetings on campus led by qualified staff. “The NDUR meetings that discuss the outside perspectives of athletes have been enlightening,” said men’s basketball teammate Shawn Charles ’26. “They help me realize we all face adversity and need space to talk about it.”
As they navigate the jump from high school to college athletics, first-year students are finding NDUR to be a valuable tool for balance and support in the transition. “It helps me by relieving the stress that I’m alone. I know I can get some ease just by reading a quote,” said Kylie Harrison ’29 from women’s ice hockey.
For athletes navigating the demands of schoolwork, practices and games, and life off the field, NDUR is proving that endurance is also built through resilience, awareness, and the support systems around them. NDUR is helping Curry athletes see that taking care of their minds is just as important as training their bodies.