Hilbert College used an NCAA Division III initiative grant to further its mission of educating the hearts and the minds of its students by sponsoring a day-long event called "The Triformed Athlete: The Mental, Physical and Spiritual Components."

The athletics department and the office of mission integration at Hilbert collaborated on the session last month that attracted coaches and student-athletes from each of the school's 11 varsity sports, as well as community members. Speakers included Frank Reich, a former quarterback for the NFL Buffalo Bills who has given motivational speeches about spirituality in athletics and life.

Hilbert Director of Mission Integration Barbara Bannano said the program's goal was not only to develop strong and moral student-athletes and citizens, but also to reflect the spiritual dimension of sport. She said while the program focused on the physical and mental aspects of being a student-athlete, the main emphasis was on the spiritual component.

"The session is wonderful because it integrates the mission and lends itself to another dimension that maybe doesn't get as much attention, which is the spiritual aspect," she said.