Zags360 FAQ

Zags360 is a new way for Gonzaga Athletics to talk about our approach to student-athlete wellness and growth. Gonzaga has long distinguished itself by being successful not only in competition, but also in its holistic support of student-athletes. Zags360 helps us to better tell the story of this important part of who we already are and have been. In a time of much change in college athletics, our commitment to the growth and development of our student-athletes hasn’t changed, and Zags360 allows us to better tell this story.

This framework of wellness in 8 areas is adapted from the work of Dr. Peggy Swarbrick and the framework used by the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This approach of caring for the whole person aligns with the Jesuit, Catholic, and humanistic mission of holistic education and formation.

Gonzaga’s mission statement describes the important goal of intentionally developing the whole person. Zags360 is how Gonzaga athletics articulates this goal in our work with our student-athletes, especially through the exercise of the core Jesuit concept of cura personalis, individualized care of the whole person. Additionally, Gonzaga’s latest strategic plan identifies providing an “Integrative Jesuit Educational Experience” as a key priority. Zags360 is how Gonzaga athletics looks to live out this priority.

Zags360 more broadly represents Gonzaga’s holistic approach to supporting the wellness and development of its student-athletes—bringing together not only athletics-based resources, but also a wide range of services and support from departments and offices across campus. A key recent addition to Zags360 programming is the Life After Sport series, which invites student-athletes to reflect on their identity both in and beyond athletics. Drawing on expertise from across campus, along with the insights and lived experiences of former Gonzaga student-athletes, the series encourages participants to intentionally prepare for what comes next.

While many resources are located within Gonzaga’s athletic department, we also partner with many colleagues in departments across campus to help our student-athletes grow in their wellness. Many partners, including Career & Professional Development, the Center for Community Engagement, the School of Law, the Office of Health Promotion, and more, collaborate with athletics staff to provide resources and opportunities for our student-athletes.

Gonzaga already distinguishes itself in its holistic care for student-athletes, but we always want to continue to grow, deepen, and improve. The next step for Zags360 is to add a data-informed approach to wellness. We aim to equip student-athletes with data, primarily using a data dashboard currently being built and tested, to empower them to make data-informed decisions about their wellness.

We aim to use data in two key ways while capturing a broad and meaningful picture of student-athlete wellness. Across all eight wellness areas, we incorporate a variety of data points, blending quantitative and qualitative insights, including both objective measurements and self-assessments whenever possible. This approach allows student-athletes to use data to inform their own wellness decisions, while also enabling the athletic department to continually assess and refine its programming and resources to enhance the care and support provided.

We aim to use data in two key ways while capturing a broad and meaningful picture of student-athlete wellness. Across all eight wellness areas, we incorporate a variety of data points, blending quantitative and qualitative insights, including both objective measurements and self-assessments whenever possible. This approach allows student-athletes to use data to inform their own wellness decisions, while also enabling the athletic department to continually assess and refine its programming and resources to enhance the care and support provided.

Supporting student-athlete wellness requires ongoing investment across several critical areas. Mental health services remain a top priority, as student-athletes regularly rely on these resources to stay healthy and succeed in the classroom, in competition, and within the community. Nutrition support is equally essential, with continued needs for supplemental fueling resources and access to a registered dietitian to promote recovery and performance. In addition, the continued development of the Zags360 data dashboard is a key initiative, providing student-athletes with the tools to make informed wellness decisions. Advancing this effort will require sustained technical and data support, as well as investment in wellness technologies such as sleep wearables.

Please help us to continue to tell the story of who we are and what we do in Gonzaga Athletics! Zags360 helps us share with our community and supporters what is important to us and why we do it. Our approach to the support and development of our student-athletes, grounded in our mission, is what makes us distinctive and who we are as Gonzaga. This is how we expansively define our success in classroom, competition, and community, and you can help us continue to share that story so that this program can continue to develp and better grow and form our student-athletes.