Dowd hired as Director of Student-Athlete Wellness and Clinical Counselor

HOUGHTON, Mich. – Michigan Tech Athletics recently hired Sarah Dowd as the Director of Student-Athlete Wellness and Clinical Counselor. Her first day was July 29.

"We are very fortunate to have received the NCAA Strategic Alliance Matching Grant to create this much-needed position so we can better support our student-athletes," Michigan Tech Athletic Director Suzanne Sanregret said.

"Sarah not only has the background related to wellness and counseling but she was also a student-athlete. She has experienced the challenges of balancing academics and athletics and is very well-prepared to assist our student-athletes. We are very excited to welcome her to our team and look forward to working with her to advance the athletic department."

Dowd will serve as an in-house therapist to counsel student-athletes in balancing mind, body, and sport for optimal mental health and well-being. She will also work with coaches and athletic trainers on best practices for the health and well-being of the Huskies.

"I'm very excited for this opportunity, as it's quite unique and blends together my passion for working with athletes, helping individuals to succeed, and working with mental health," Dowd said.

Dowd received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Youngstown State University in August 2016 and completed a Master of Science in Education with an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Addiction in December 2018. She is a member of the Big Sky Sport Psychology Group. 

Dowd was a licensed professional counselor in Ohio for the past seven months after serving as a counselor trainee the year prior. She also spent time as a graduate assistant at Youngstown State, focusing on mental health. Dowd has done extensive research on the impact concussions have on the mental health of athletes.

Dowd was a decorated softball student-athlete at YSU from 2014-17. She was a CoSIDA Academic All-American, a three-time All-Horizon League selection, the Horizon League Freshman of the Year, Horizon League All-Academic, a four-time NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete, and the Penguins all-time home run, RBI, and grand slam record holder.