Beyond the Game

In the final episode of our three-part "Meet the Team" series, Associate Director Carissa Leone shares her journey from student-athlete to advisor and tutor coordinator. She discusses her work advising multiple teams, teaching University Life, supporting incoming students, managing stress with athletes, and what success looks like beyond grades.Join us to hear memorable moments, trends in today’s students, practical advice for first-year students, and a look at the people who help student-athletes thrive off the field. Go Pirates!

In this Meet the Team episode of Beyond the Game, host Matt interviews Amanda DiDonato — a Seton Hall alum, former women’s soccer player, and longtime academic advisor. Amanda shares her path from student-athlete to advisor, her nearly two decades at Seton Hall, and what motivates her work with student-athletes.They discuss how the student-athlete experience has changed, the growing focus on mental health and financial literacy, and the impact of NIL. Amanda’s key advice to students is to ask questions, and she shares a favorite success story tied to the Allegory of the Cave from the Journey of Transformation curriculum. She also reveals personal details like her love of cooking and stresses that education and learning continue after college.

In this first episode of "Beyond the Game: Meet the Team," host Matt Geibel, Director of Academic Support Services for Student-Athletes at Seton Hall, shares his career path from graduate assistant to director, and how college athletics and academic support have changed over three decades.Matt discusses what he finds most rewarding—helping students grow and find success—common misconceptions about student-athletes, practical advice to incoming students (be curious and learn to problem-solve), and personal insights like his running habit and love of coffee.This episode gives listeners an inside look at the people supporting student-athletes and what to expect from the podcast series.

Hosts Matt Geibel, Amanda Di Donato, and Carissa Leoni introduce Beyond the Game and explain how Seton Hall’s Academic Support Services helps student‑athletes balance competition and coursework. They describe their roles, tutoring, study hall, academic advising, and collaboration with campus partners, and preview future episodes on eligibility, NIL, and the transfer portal.
This inaugural episode offers a behind‑the‑scenes look at the staff, resources, and priorities that support student‑athlete success both in the classroom and beyond the game.