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Posted: Nov 16, 2017

Mahoney and Lezeau Picked to Attend NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum

Mahoney and Lezeau Picked to Attend NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum

Release courtesy of the NCAA

WASHINGTON, D.C. - More than 220 NCAA college athletes representing all sports and various campus academic departments will meet Thursday through Sunday in Washington D.C. for the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum.

Bears Student-Athlete Advisory Committee members junior Victoria Mahoney (softball) and sophomore Gemar Lezeau (men's soccer) are the St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) student-athletes selected by the NCAA to attend this weekend.  

"We are very excited that Victoria and Gemar were selected to attend this event. I'd like to thank the NCAA for supporting programming such as this forum to provide student-athletes with leadership development training and ways in which they can impact their campus communities," commented Director of Athletics and Recreation James Lally.

The NCAA leadership development and governance groups at the national office collaborate to host the forum, which also will include 73 athletics administrators, coaches and faculty from colleges and universities. Eighteen administrators and coaches were selected earlier in the year by a committee from the NCAA membership to attend facilitation training in preparation for conducting the curriculum at the forum. 

“The Student-Athlete Leadership Forum is an excellent way to provide student-athletes with a nontraditional form of education that centers on developing them as leaders in their communities and on their campuses, and it ultimately prepares them for life after their collegiate playing days are over,” said Curtis J. Hollomon, NCAA director of leadership development.   

During the forum, the student-athletes will be separated into small teams for projects and discussions. The facilitators lead the teams each day and spur conversations that will help the student-athletes with analytical thinking and ways to address any topics and concerns they may have on issues that impact them on their campuses.

Attendees are scheduled to hear and engage with keynote speakers. Appearing at the November event will be Jacqie McWilliams, a former two-sport NCAA athlete and NCAA champion in women’s basketball at Hampton. McWilliams is currently the Commissioner of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.  She is the first African-American woman to hold this position. Also appearing will be Chicago native Curtis Hill, a successful entrepreneur, author, and leader in diversity and inclusion.

During the forum, the student-athletes will learn about NCAA governance structures and how committees work and make membership decisions. They’ll also learn more about Student-Athlete Advisory Committees and how impactful they can be at the national, campus and conference levels. SAAC is the voice of the student-athlete within the NCAA governance structure. Student-athletes are encouraged to share their knowledge with the SAAC on their campuses.

Additionally, the student-athletes will participate in a community service project to benefit Washington, D.C.-area youth and young adults who are in need.

NCAA leadership development, located in Indianapolis, coordinates and facilitates education and training for student-athletes, coaches, and athletics administrators. The staff annually hosts programs, at little or no cost to members, using expert curriculum designed to enhance the well-being and personal development of college athletes. The staff also provides ongoing education and topical training to athletics professionals who identify and serve student-athlete needs. For more information, visit www.NCAA.org/ leadershipdevelopment.