It’s time to get UNIT3D again!

Once again this year, CougCenter is proud to team up with Butte Brand and CougFan.com to raise money for Hilinski’s Hope, which continues to carry on the legacy of former Washington State Cougars quarterback Tyler Hilinski through their mission to fight for the mental health of college athletes.

Over the past two years, Cougs everywhere have UNIT3D to raise more than $20,000 for the foundation through sales of t-shirts and hoodies, and we’re running it back again with new designs — $10 will be donated to Hilinski’s Hope for each and every UNIT3D item you purchase at ButteBrand.com:

The campaign only runs for one week, so why don’t you go ahead and order yours now? With just 1,000 purchases, we’ll match our average donation from the last two years!

If you’re wondering what Tyler’s parents, Kym and Mark Hilinski, have been up to with the foundation since we last ran this campaign more than 12 months ago ... well, it’s a lot, even through the pandemic. Here are a couple of examples.

Hilinski’s Hope Game Plan

Through a partnership with the NCAA Sports Science Institute, H3H has created the Hilinski’s Hope Game Plan: “This comprehensive program helps universities save lives, eliminate stigma, and scale mental wellness programs for student-athletes by providing the practical tools for the schools with student-athletes to implement the change necessary to bring parity to mental health in line with all other illnesses and injuries these student-athletes face.”

The training includes a “Tyler Talk,” team training and a facilitator’s handbook, and Hilinski’s Hope Scorecards for self-assessment.

These trainings really are the backbone of the Hilinski’s Hope mission, as you can see from the effect on the players in this video:

College Football Mental Health Awareness Week and #3Day

Hilinski’s Hope also worked to launch the inaugural College Football Mental Health Awareness Week, which kicked off with #3Day on October 3 and ran through October 10. SI.com covered the announcement, as did ESPN.com.

You might have noticed the ribbon stickers on the helmets of programs such as the Alabama Crimson Tide and Clemson Tigers a couple of weeks ago (on the left) ...

Ken Ruinard, Greenville News via Imagn Content Services, LLC

... and also on the coaches:

Ken Ruinard via Imagn Content Services, LLC

It didn’t end with ribbons: H3H also asked participating campuses to conduct programs to measure and raise awareness of mental fitness resources for students and faculty. The week was held in conjunction with World Mental Illness Awareness Week.

In short, Hilinski’s Hope is making a practical and tangible impact in the lives of college athletes in the nearly three years since Tyler’s death. It’s an incredible tale of triumph over tragedy.

Will you join us in honoring Tyler’s memory and supporting that mission — again?

UNIT3D, we can save lives.