U-M to Host TEAM BE BETTER; Invitational at Canham Natatorium
9/16/2025 4:48:00 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan swimming and diving program announced Tuesday (Sept. 16) that it will host the fourth annual TEAM BE BETTER; Invitational on Friday, Sept. 26, at 3 p.m. inside Canham Natatorium.
The meet honors the memory and legacy of former Wolverine Ian Miskelley and seeks to promote awareness of mental health in college athletics.
The invitational provides a fun way for swimmers to kick off the season before competition begins. For some athletes, this is their first experience as a college athlete, and they're adjusting to a new community and level of competition.
TEAM BE BETTER; was established in 2021 by Steve and Jill Miskelley in Ian's memory. A lifelong swimmer, Ian tragically died by suicide on Sept. 7, 2020. TEAM BE BETTER; provides family-centered mental health consultations that involve support, education and advocacy for adolescents and young adults.
"Families encounter significantly different levels of support when assisting their children with physical illnesses or injuries compared to mental illnesses," said TEAM BE BETTER; co-founder Steve Miskelley. "While families of student-athletes are involved in nearly every aspect of their child's sports careers, they often feel powerless and are excluded when it comes to their mental health. This was a challenge we faced after Ian entered his teenage years. He had the best care and incredible resources at school, but it isn't fair to put critical communication and next steps on a young person who is already carrying so much to get through the day."
The organization's care model, led by Dr. Michael Brashears, demands better communication, keeps families involved and offers in-depth education about the spectrum of mental health and care options.
TEAM BE BETTER; offers in-person or hybrid consultations for families and individuals, as well as educational talks for families, athletic teams and clubs. Families can expect to participate in at least three to five consultations and screenings, combining state-of-the-art tools and clinical expertise to shape their personalized care plans. TEAM BE BETTER; remains a resource for every client for as long as they need.
The Michigan swimming and diving program has partnered with TEAM BE BETTER; since the organization's establishment in 2021 and 2025 marks the invitational's second year at Canham Natatorium.
For more information, visit teambebetter.org.
