AMES, Iowa — Jake Sullivan is one of the most prolific Iowa State University basketball players of all time. While he was a star on the court, Sullivan also battled depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
The Cyclone basketball legend is returning to campus to deliver a lecture about how he has navigated his mental health. “My Battle with Mental Illness: Finding Hope in the Midst of Suffering” will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, in the Memorial Union Great Hall. This event is free and open to the public.
Sullivan played guard for the ISU men’s basketball team from 2000 to 2004. He is the top free-throw shooter in Iowa State and Big 12 Conference history, making 89.6 percent of his shots. He’s Iowa State’s all-time leader in three-pointers made (270) and he’s the eighth all-time leading scorer (1,810). Sullivan was a three-time All-Big 12 selection, three-time Academic All-American, and was voted to the Iowa State All-Century Team in 2007.
In the midst of his many athletic and academic accomplishments, Sullivan also silently battled depression and OCD. Sullivan will share the steps he took to navigate mental illness and talk about the importance of recognizing that mental illness can affect anyone — even those who appear to have it all.
This lecture is part of the . Prior to Sullivan’s keynote address, a mental health resource fair will provide information, community resources and practical, everyday tools to more fully understand and manage mental health and recovery issues.
Representatives from the ISU Police Department and ISU Student Health and Wellness will be available to share information on campus resources during the Q&A discussion following Sullivan’s address.
This lecture is co-sponsored by the Story County Mental Health Expo, ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Alliance on Mental Illness on Campus and the Committee on Lectures, which is funded by Student Government.
Find more information about ISU lectures or by calling 515-294-9934.
