Fighting Illini Student-Athletes Broaden Perspectives Through 2026 Big Life Series Experience
July 20, 2026 | Women's Gymnastics, Swimming & Diving, Men's Track & Field, Academic Services
NEWS
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Four Fighting Illini student-athletes and two Illinois Athletics administrators traveled to Portland, Oregon, July 10-12 for the Big Ten Conference's Big Life Series Pacific Northwest experience, a three-day educational program designed to immerse participants in the history, cultures, and communities of the region.
The conference's first Big Life Series program held on the West Coast brought together more than 150 student-athletes, coaches, and administrators for an experience centered on cultural learning, reflection, and connection.
Illinois was represented by swim and dive student-athletes Kayla Duran and Audrey Cavaliere, men's track and field student-athlete Reece Ihenacho, and women's gymnastics student-athlete Summer Clancy. Dr. Breanna Shamaila, Chief People Officer, and Solomon Siskind, assistant director of student-athlete development, accompanied the Illini delegation.
Throughout the weekend, participants engaged with the Pacific Northwest through a wide range of programming, including visits to the Oregon Historical Society and regional cultural and historical sites. Those experiences introduced student-athletes to stories and perspectives that extended well beyond traditional classroom learning.
Rather than simply learning about the communities they visited, student-athletes were invited to engage directly in the region's histories and lived experiences. The itinerary included conversations about cultural traditions, community resilience, the history of Black pioneers, and the experiences of Japanese Americans in the Pacific Northwest.
The weekend also created intentional opportunities for connection among student-athletes from across the Big Ten. Whether hiking to Multnomah Falls or learning about viticulture, participants had space to process what they learned, exchange perspectives, and build relationships beyond competition.
For Ihenacho, the opportunity to move beyond observation and into cultural immersion stood out.
"We didn't just learn about the culture there, but we had opportunities to immerse ourselves into it and be part of something," Ihenacho said.
Among the weekend's most meaningful experiences for the Illinois group was the opportunity to learn from regional communities through immersive cultural programming and firsthand engagement.
Through firsthand learning and community engagement, student-athletes gained a deeper appreciation for cultural traditions, generational customs, and language restoration efforts rooted in preservation and respect.
The experience also extended beyond cultural learning. With Portland serving as the backdrop, relationships with peers from across the conference became equally impactful as student-athletes reflected on each activity, exchanged perspectives, and connected through shared experience.
"Connecting with other student-athletes made the experience more fun and engaging because I got to learn about people just like me and also talk to them about what we learned or experienced," Clancy said.
The lessons from the weekend extended beyond the conclusion of the program. As the Illinois delegation returned to campus, student-athletes carried with them a deeper appreciation for cultures beyond their own and a renewed curiosity to continue learning from the experiences and perspectives of others.
For Duran, the experience reinforced the value of continued learning.
"Having the privilege to learn and experience another culture is an experience you will never forget and keeps you wanting to learn even more about other cultures the world has to offer," Duran said.
The Big Life Series challenged Illinois student-athletes to look beyond their own experiences and engage with new histories, perspectives, and communities in meaningful ways. They returned home with broader perspectives, stronger connections, and a renewed commitment to learning from those around them.
That commitment is one Cavaliere hopes to carry forward.
"I hope to carry with me the idea that life is about building connections and never stopping the process of learning," Cavaliere said. "Listening to people's stories, experiences, and backgrounds is something I want to continue doing because it is both eye-opening and inspiring."
For Illinois, the experience reflected the broader purpose of college athletics: to help student-athletes grow not only as competitors, but as leaders, learners, and members of a community shaped by curiosity, connection, and respect.
