Albany, NY---Two student-athletes from The Sage Colleges' are attending the 2017 NCAA Student Leadership Forum in Washington, DC November 16-19. Sage's sophomore men's golf and men's volleyball player, Tyler Schnaible (Ballston Lake, NY/Shenendehowa) and junior softball team captain Kiersten Duncan (Millerton, NY/Taconic Hills) have arrived at the forum and will participate in the summit this weekend.

The NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum engages a diverse and dynamic representation of student-athletes, coaches, faculty and administrators. Student-athletes selected to attend the forum return to campus with invaluable leadership skills, the experience of exploring the relationship between personal values, core beliefs and behavioral styles, and a thorough understanding of the NCAA as a whole, the different divisional perspectives and the valuable role of Student-Athlete Advisory Committees (SAAC).

Sage Director of Athletics Sandy Augstein-Collins, added "The NCAA Student Leadership Forum is a wonderful opportunity for our student-athletes to further develop life-long skills that they can utilize here at Sage as leaders of their teams." She continued, "I am thrilled that Kiersten Duncan and Tyler Schnaible have been selected to represent Sage!  We have many amazing student-athletes which made the selection process extremely difficult.  I am confident that Kiersten and Tyler will learn useful skills and I look forward to their implementation upon their return to Sage."

Schnaible noted, "I'm excited and honored to have been chosen for such an event." He continued, "It is going to be a great experience and I'm sure they (NCAA) have planned out an engaging agenda for us. I look forward to making new friends and connections along with bringing back valuable information for the Sage student-athletes and our Gator community."

Duncan added, "I am so excited to be given the opportunity to attend the NCAA Leadership Forum and be able to bring back skills to apply to the softball team as well as Sage Athletics." She continued, "This will be an awesome experience and I can't wait to meet other student-athletes from around the country, who share the same passion for athletics like myself."

The NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum engages a diverse and dynamic representation of student-athletes, coaches, faculty and administrators. Student-athletes selected to attend the forum return to campus with invaluable leadership skills, the experience of exploring the relationship between personal values, core beliefs and behavioral styles, and a thorough understanding of the NCAA as a whole, the different divisional perspectives and the valuable role of Student-Athlete Advisory Committees (SAAC).

The Leadership Forum, created in 1997, has been a life-changing experience for more than 5,000 student-athletes, many who have grown personally and professionally, gained a new network of peers and friends, as well as felt the rewards and importance of community service.

In 2002, the NCAA began divisional regionally based leadership conferences for Division I, II and III student-athletes, coaches and administrators. Division I, II and III student-athletes, coaches and administrators met regionally to discuss issues and information impacting the student-athlete experience. In the fall of 2010, the NCAA consolidated Leadership Forum participants from Divisions I, II and III into a single forum at one site on the same weekend.

The 2017-18 NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum is taking in November 16-19 in Washington, D.C.

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

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.