West Chester University's Rams Let's Walk 5K raised more than $4,000 for student-athlete mental health on Sept. 20. The eighth annual event drew 230 registered participants and over 50 student-athlete volunteers to the WCU campus on South Church Street.

The event, organized by the WCU Athletics Department, offered a one-mile walk and a full 5K run. WCU students, faculty, staff, family members and West Chester residents all took part, according to a recap posted by the athletics department.

Several organizations set up at the event to raise awareness of mental health resources available to students. The Hidden Opponent, a national student-athlete mental health nonprofit, was on hand. So was Lax-4-Life, a suicide-prevention awareness campaign launched in 2009 by WCU head women's lacrosse coach Ginny Martino in partnership with Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference coaches. The WCU Counseling Center, located in Lawrence Center on campus, also staffed a table.

Organizers recognized two donors whose contributions helped fund the event. Wegmans provided support, and Rossi's Rally contributed as well. Rossi's Rally is a nonprofit created in honor of Julia Rossi that distributes funds to mental health organizations and awards the Julia Rossi Memorial Scholarship each year to a WCU women's lacrosse athlete.

After the race, organizers announced raffle basket winners and winners from each competitive division. The athletics department did not publish individual results or division winner names.

Director of Athletics Terry Beattie has made student-athlete mental health a priority during his tenure at WCU. Under his leadership, the athletics department built a Sports Performance program and forged partnerships across campus that give athletes access to mental health counselors and sport psychology professionals, according to his athletics department biography.

The athletics department called the event a success in an Oct. 5 post on X. Proceeds will go toward WCU Athletics mental health initiatives, though the department has not specified how the funds will be allocated. No date has been announced for the ninth annual Rams Let's Walk.