Cal Poly’s 28th annual Mark S. Reuling Volleyball Tournament will bring students and faculty together on Friday to honor the memory of a Cal Poly alumnus while raising mental health awareness.
The Reuling family created the tournament in partnership with ASI Recreational Sports to celebrate Mark S. Reuling’s life and love of volleyball. Reuling’s parents, Ed and Pam, established the Mark S. Reuling Endowment in his honor to support mental health education and prevention programs within the Cal Poly community.
The tournament has continued for nearly three decades, giving the Cal Poly community a chance to play recreational sports while learning about mental health resources and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health.
“The tournament provides an opportunity to honor his memory while continuing to raise awareness about mental health, the resources available in the community, and the importance of talking openly about it,” tournament organizers said.
The tournament is part of Buck the Stigma, a weeklong series presented by Cal Poly ASI Student Government and PULSE that focuses on mental well-being through activities, discussions and access to resources. ASI Intramural Sports, ASI Student Government, ASI events, and Campus Health & Wellbeing host the tournament, the week’s culminating event.
Funds raised through the tournament support the Mark S. Reuling Endowment, which funds mental health education and outreach throughout the year.
Organizers said the tournament is intended to make conversations about mental health more approachable by using recreation to build connections among students.
“Recreation naturally brings people together and creates connection and community,” organizers said.
Organizers hope participants leave the tournament with more than an enjoyable day of volleyball.
The goal is for students to become familiar with available mental health resources and feel more comfortable talking about mental health, seeking support, and supporting others.
“Ultimately, if someone leaves knowing about a resource they did not know existed, feeling more comfortable asking for help, or recognizing that it is okay to have these conversations, then the tournament has accomplished something meaningful beyond the game itself,” organizers said.