By: David Macaulay-Smith I Published: November 11, 2025
Kean University women’s soccer teammates Kaydence Oakley and Julia Cusack are using their
experience on the field, entrepreneurship, and personal journeys to fight mental health stigma.
Oakley has dedicated this season to Katie’s Save, a suicide prevention organization founded in
honor of Stanford goalkeeper and captain Katie Meyer, while their brand, Smiley Girl Company,
supports students struggling with mental health across campus.
“Katie was a fierce leader, a national champion, and someone who inspired everyone
around her,” Oakley said. “I’m dedicating my season to Katie’s Save, and I’ll be
fundraising all year to support their mission. Together, we can carry on Katie’s light and
help save lives.”
Oakley has been open about her own mental health journey.
“This year, I’ve definitely been super outspoken about it because I like to think even if it
helps one person, then it’s worth it. You know, it’s sometimes seen as attention-seeking,
but I don’t see it like that at all. I think if it helps someone, it’s worth it to share what you
go through if you have the strength to,” she said.
The Wildwood native also shared the personal struggles that inspired her advocacy.
“This year, I went through my own personal struggles of heartbreak, guilt, loss,
depression, and extreme weight loss,” Oakley said.
Oakley recalled the moment she hit rock bottom.
“On March 11, 2025, while home for spring break, I had decided there wasn’t any way of
feeling better anymore after struggling for so long. I wrote my final letters and made peace
with my decision. But I’m still here… And ever since, I’ve been trying to live differently
and honestly.”
She later described how she found purpose and motivation to play. Through therapy, support, and
self-discovery, Oakley has started to reclaim a sense of purpose. This season, she’s playing not
just for soccer, but for life itself. Every goal, every pass, every sprint at practice, and every
moment she steps on the field is for those quietly fighting their own battles, for the people who
never had the chance to keep going, and for the version of herself who felt recovery was
impossible.
Her message to students struggling is clear: “If you or someone you know is struggling, seek out
resources and reach out for help. You are not alone, and your story isn’t over.”
Oakley’s experience inspired her and Cusack to start Smiley Girl Company, a brand that raises
awareness and funds for mental health.
The spark for Smiley Girl came during an ordinary gym session, where Oakley and Cusack
realized their shared passion for mental health could become something bigger than themselves.
“We were at the gym one day, talking about things we’re both passionate about, like
mental health. I mentioned that I’d always wanted to partner with a brand to do a mental
health campaign, and Julia said she had always wanted to own her own clothing brand.
That’s when we thought, why not just start one? We actually came up with the idea for
Smiley Girl on a treadmill.”
Cusack recalled countless nights spent tossing around names and ideas, determined to build a
brand that stood for something real.
“We spent hours in my room trying to come up with the perfect name and decided to go
with Smiley Girl. It’s a brand that supports mental health awareness; we make products
and donate a portion of our profits each month.”
Oakley said the name reflects their mission:
“Even on hard days, there’s always a reason to smile. There’s always a reason to find joy
in the day.”
The duo hopes Smiley Girl’s message reaches beyond athletes.
“We’d like to reach more students,” Cusack said. “Right now, I feel like it’s mostly
student-athletes, but slowly, through classes and other connections, we’ve been reaching
more people. I think it’s great to expand that reach because it brings more awareness and
helps more people, so we’re really excited about that.”
Within Kean athletics, Oakley and Cusack have partnered with several mental health
organizations, including Morgan’s Message and Hope for Athletes. Working alongside Managing Assistant Director of Student-Athlete Development Lorin Tredinnick, they’ve collaborated with Katie’s Save, their own company Smiley Girl, Morgan’s Message, and Hope for Athletes.
“We set up a table in D’Angola, collected donations for Katie’s Save, and featured Smiley
Girl products. We ended up raising a lot of money for Katie’s Save during Suicide
Prevention Month, which was really meaningful,” Oakley said.
Support from teammates, coaches, and Kean students has been encouraging.
“They’ve been super helpful. They were the first ones to buy our products, the first to
repost everything on social media, and they’ve really helped us reach more people and
bring more awareness. They’ve been so supportive of us through it all,” Cusack said.
Oakley said the Katie’s Save Game was one of the most meaningful moments of her season, a
chance to honor both Katie Meyer’s legacy and the team’s growing advocacy work.
“It was awesome. I came up with the idea back in May, so it was really cool to see four
months of planning actually come to life,” she said.
The team also honored former coach Joe Colodne, who passed away during the summer, in a
memorial game.
“It’s always tough thinking about Coach Joe, but we all see him as kind of a light on the
team. We have so many great memories of him, and that game was really special — seeing
our alumni and everyone come out to support him was incredible, because he truly was
such an amazing coach and an amazing person,” Oakley said.
Cusack reflected on his lasting impact.
“He’s still with us at every game. Each team sets up a picture of him on the bench; his
preserved seat is a comforting reminder of his presence. It really feels like he’s still part of
the team.”
Looking ahead, Smiley Girl Company hopes to expand its reach.
“If Smiley Girl grows, we hope to reach a much larger audience. We’re also working on
new products right now, so we’re excited to see how it all works out,” Cusack said.
For students struggling with mental health, Oakley emphasized the importance of reaching out,
even when it feels impossible.
“I would say don’t be afraid to reach out. Reaching out to people is really what’s going to
help you — like friends, family. Kean has so many options for help. I know it sounds
cliché, but it does get better,” she said.
Cusack echoed her teammate’s message, adding that even small steps, like talking to someone
you trust or keeping your mind occupied with a project or hobby, can make a difference.
“Just talk to somebody, even if it’s not a professional — even if you go to a friend or start
a business like we did to keep your mind occupied. And, yeah, just talking is the way to
get through everything,” she said.
For Oakley and Cusack, the work they’re doing on and off the field is bigger than soccer or
business. It’s about shining a light on struggles that are often hidden and reminding their peers
that no one has to face them alone. Through every goal, every campaign, and every conversation,
they are turning personal challenges into a movement of support, awareness, and resilience.
Their message is simple but profound: even in the darkest moments, there is hope, there is help,
and there is a reason to keep going. By combining their passion for the game, entrepreneurship,
and mental health advocacy, Oakley and Cusack prove that courage can inspire change — and
that one season, one brand, and one voice can make a lasting difference
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