About us
Show up foreach other.
Stadium Stride is a relay around a college stadium, built on one idea: the people around you can help more than they think. We raise money for local mental health support, teach people how to be there for a friend, and bring a whole campus into one place to do it.
Awareness
isn't enough
Most people already know mental health matters. That part has been said.
What's missing is the next step. What do you say when your roommate stops coming to dinner? Where do you go with them? Who checks on you when it's your turn?
When someone finally opens up, it's usually to a friend on a random Tuesday night, and that friend often has no idea what to say. We want them to know.
From aware
to connected
Awareness gets you to the start line. This is the rest of the course.
- Aware.
Where it startsSay it out loud until talking about mental health feels normal.
- Support.
Fund what helpsEvery lap raises money for local mental health partners, so there's real help waiting when someone reaches out.
- Equip.
Learn how to helpMental health pros teach you how to notice when someone's off, how to ask them directly, and where to take them next.
- Build.
Make it a communityTeams train together for weeks before race day. The friendships don't end at the finish line.
- Connect.
Nobody runs aloneLeave knowing where help is and who has your back, and ready to be that person for someone else.
Where this is going: a full Stadium Series weekend at every school we run, with a speaker night, training and the Stride. See the vision.
"This is bigger than my story."
Sam Holtel · Founder
Read Sam's noteHow a Stride
works
One stadium. One morning.
Pass the
baton
Teams pass a baton around a college stadium for one morning. Every lap gets counted, and partners turn those laps into dollars for mental health. Counselors and trained volunteers are on site the whole time.
First up: Ohio State · May 22, 2027
- Build a teamYour floor, your chapter, your club or a few friends. Coming solo? We'll put you on a team.
- Run or walk lapsPace doesn't matter. Showing up together does.
- Laps become dollarsLap matches and donations are granted to a local mental health partner.
- Leave connectedKnow where help is, who you can lean on, and how to be there for someone else.
Upcoming Stride
Ohio State 2027
Ohio Stadium · Columbus, Ohio · May 22, 2027
The
foundation
Stadium Stride is run by Stadium Stride Foundation, a nonprofit.
At every school we team up with a local mental health charity. Donations and lap pledges come to the Foundation and go to that partner. After every Stride, we post exactly what we raised and where it went.
Our application for federal tax-exempt status is in progress.
Where it goes next
Find your
stride
It starts at Ohio State. Where we go next is up to you. Tap the map, find your stadium, and vote to bring a Stride to your school.
Need to talk now?
You don't have to wait for race day. Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is free, confidential and open 24/7.