Each year, hundreds of Buffalo State student-athletes progress from the campus buildings of the University and into the professional world, ready to build incredible careers and impact positive change in their communities. Here are their stories.
Sherrell McLean '13 was a four year member of the Buffalo State women's volleyball team and now is giving back to her community as a Certified School Social Worker in Buffalo Public Schools.
"I started as a youth advocate for Buffalo Public Schools for about a year. And then I went into the maternal infant health realm. And finally, I decided I wanted a change and wanted to do more mental health focus and got an opportunity to be a social worker", McLean said.
Since the fall of 2022, McLean has helped and encouraged the students of Buffalo to be themselves and take advantage of the opportunities in front of them. Her work with students is something she has always wanted to do.
After graduating from Buffalo State as a double major with psychology and social work, McLean continued her academics at the University at Buffalo to obtain her master's degree in Social Work. After UB, McLean then found herself pursuing her passion of helping others.
"End goal would be my own private practice. I want to leverage social media to normalize conversations about mental health in black and brown communities. Also, online coaching, therapy, and private practice and essentially, I want to work with athletes and their transition", McLean added.
McLean also wants to help athletes build a bridge from their athletic careers into their professional and personal lives. The idea that you are more than just an athlete in your sport is something McLean wants to help others find.
"Just based off of my experience when you're a student-athlete your whole life and then you graduate, and you don't know what you want to do. And that was a tough time for me. I want to build a bridge for athletes to make the transition from their sport easier."
Part of McLean's profession is seeing the journey of the people she gets to work with. Watching her clients overcome whatever obstacle they have is the most rewarding experience for her.
"I love that I get to see people's journey", McLean exclaimed. "Walking through it with them and seeing their beginning, middle, and end and just helping them through it. I think my favorite part is when they get it. Whatever we have been working on all comes together and to see the growth from that is the best."
As an athlete, McLean tallied 760 kills, 19 assists, and 140 digs over her four year career as well as earning a second team All-SUNYAC selection her senior season. Shortly after her career at Buffalo State, McLean found herself coaching the sport she loved. After earning her coaching certificate with her minor at Buffalo State, McLean spent three seasons as the assistant coach at D'Youville College and has also been a coach with the Nickel City Volleyball Club since 2012. She will also be entering her fourth season as the JV coach for her high school alma-mater City Honors.
"I came to Buffalo State for volleyball. I think that helped to get used to the environment. Being an athlete helped me get used to the school and ease my way into the college experience", McLean added.
"It was a necessary experience for me. Being an athlete taught me a lot about leadership, responsibility, discipline, and time management and if I had the choice to do it again I absolutely would."
McLean gave one final message to the student-athlete population at Buffalo State:
"Tap into the resources that are available. And really embrace the experience because it really does go by so quick. Every rep counts. Every practice counts. And every game counts. Just putting it all out there matters a lot. You are also more than just you role as a student athlete. Remember who you are outside of your sport."
GO BENGALS!
If you know of any Buffalo State Athletics alumni that are accomplishing great things in their professional lives that would be worthy of a feature story, please contact Director of Athletic Communications Mitchell Binda at bindamw@buffalostate.edu!
