NEWPORT, R.I.-- Salve Regina University Athletics has teamed up with NOSOLO to further an existing partnership with a deepened level of commitment to Salve student-athletes, the community, and mental health education on campus.  

"Salve Athletics is tremendously proud to continue and expand upon this incredibly beneficial partnership with NOSOLO," said director of athletics Dr. Sean Sullivan. "John and Sarah have created not only a brand but an avenue to support others in direct and meaningful life affirming ways. It is a privilege to assist them in delivering this message of hope and health."
 
On Saturday, May 2, Salve Athletics and NOSOLO collaborated to host Off to the Races Derby Day Fundraiser. The purpose of the event was to raise essential funds to support Salve Athletics, the NOSOLO community and Salve Counseling Services. 
 
"Every person is carrying something, and every person deserves to feel seen, herd and empowered without shame, without comparison and without a perfect timeline," said NOSOLO co-founder Sarah Toracinta. "This is about taking ownership of your mental health, whatever that looks like for you. It will look different for everyone, every day and at every stage in life. This is why the NOSOLO Give Back Foundation exists-- to fund open, authentic dialogue."  
 
NOSOLO co-founders Sarah Holfelder Toracinta '13, '19 (M) and John Toracinta'21 (M) started NOSOLO as an apparel brand in 2021 to encourage conversations about mental health and empower individuals to seek help and guidance. Since then, it has grown into much more and John and Sarah were recently honored with the 2026 Salve Regina University Distinguished Graduate Alumni Award. 
 
"The growth of the NOSOLO and Salve athletics partnership has meant a lot to me personally because it shows what's possible when athletics and mental health advocacy genuinely come together," remarked John. "As someone who grew up playing sports, and understanding the importance of team, paired with my roots to Salve as a graduate alum, I love everything about this partnership. From the beginning, NOSOLO has been about creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and connected, and Salve athletics has embraced that mission in such an authentic way. For the brand, it has been incredibly meaningful to grow alongside a community that truly values impact beyond just apparel or events." 
 
This is a unique opportunity for Salve athletics since it is largely a student-athlete driven partnership. What started as teams working with NOSOLO to sell merchandise at games has grown to fully developed mental health awareness events and an involvement with Newport Mental Health.  
 
"John and Sarah have built an amazing organization," said men's ice hockey forward Parker Mabbett '27. "On behalf of the men's ice hockey team we're so lucky to have them in our corner. They support us through everything. Through our ups and downs, NOSOLO has been there and as student-athletes we couldn't ask for anything more."  
 
In addition to the mentorship Sarah and John have given Salve Regina student-athletes, the Salve Regina mercy mission and NOSOLO's philanthropic cause closely align. NOSOLO donates 20% of profits to mental health charities such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and their own registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the NOSOLO Giveback Foundation. 
 
"For NOSOLO, this partnership represents exactly the kind of impact we want to continue to make," stated Sarah. "Mental health does not discriminate, and the connection between athletics and mental health is undeniable. Student athletes face constant pressure to perform, remain resilient, and push through challenges, often without enough space for honest conversations about what they may be carrying mentally and emotionally. That's where NOSOLO comes in. We want all students to understand that asking for help is not weakness — it's self-awareness, accountability, and strength."  
 
The Toracintas have already cultivated a space in which Seahawk athletes feel comfortable talking about their own mental health and encourage those around them to do the same. College is a time of transition for many students. Competitive athletics is by nature high-stakes and demanding, making it all the more important to focus on the strongest muscle in the body-- the brain.  
 
"I want to thank John and Sarah for all they do for not only the community of Salve but all of Newport and the mental health community itself," said men's ice hockey forward Aidan Connolly '26. "As a hockey player, you're told to hide your emotions and be tough, and they taught me it's okay to not be okay. That really resonates with me and the people around me. What NOSOLO shows the most is that nobody is alone; people are there for you. They will never know the extent of the impact that they have had on people on the inside."  
 
NOSOLO, Salve Athletics and Salve Counseling Services are thrilled to build upon an existing relationship to foster an environment in which mental health is at the forefront.