CONFERENCE CAROLINAS SAAC ‘BE ABOUT IT’ RETREAT SUCCESSFUL!
CONFERENCE CAROLINAS SAAC ‘BE ABOUT IT' RETREAT
SUCCESSFUL!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, February 2, 2010
High Point, N.C.> Conference Carolinas hosted its second
annual student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC) weekend retreat in
High Point, NC on Friday January 29 & Saturday January 30. The
event brought together two student-athletes and an athletic
administrator from each member school to share ideas about
improving leadership skills. The ‘Be About
It' leadership theme was a success as 20 student-athletes
attended the event and were joined by nearly a dozen other coaches
and administrators from Conference Carolinas schools.
"It is so encouraging to see the qualities and innate leadership
abilities of Conference Carolinas student-athletes," stated
Commissioner Alan Patterson. "It is apparent that their
coaches and teachers have created a solid foundation of
leadership. Conference Carolinas leadership was fortunate to
have the opportunity to identify and fine-tune their talents.
Motivational speaker Merikay Tillman lead Friday's meetings
focusing on leadership and motivational skills that participants
could take back to their teams, schools, and communities. Her
charge was taken to heart as SAAC representatives came together to
share ideas of what types of leaders they are and how to motivate
others as leaders.
Representatives were treated to a social dinner on Friday night followed by some recreational team bowling. The objective was to give everyone a chance to have some fun, intermingle, and relax while getting to know other campus leaders and share ideas on successful initiatives on individual campuses. "Not only did the student-athletes get a chance to enhance their leadership skills, they were given the opportunity to learn life skills while being able to meet other athletes and administrators who share similar characteristics," stated Assistant Commissioner Angela Tressel.
Saturday's events featured NCAA representative Dr. Cricket Lane who led discussion on leadership opportunities in diversity. Dr. Lane's interactive presentation gave each person a chance to express ideas and thoughts about inclusion. The out-of-box thinking allowed everyone to apply areas of self reflection while being able to appreciate how leaders should use their responsibility effectively.
Ellie Hanover, Belmont Abbey College's Head Softball Coach and SAAC advisor may have summed it up best, "We had an absolute blast at the retreat. It was really nice to see Student-Athletes come together from different schools and all work towards the same common goal this weekend. The activities that were planned were fun, interactive and educational all at the same time. The leadership and camaraderie that was displayed by all this weekend is a true testament to what we stand for as a conference. I'm so proud to be a part of Conference Carolinas."
Conference Carolinas is a premier NCAA Division II athletic conference made up of 12 teams from North Carolina and South Carolina. These institutions consist of: Anderson University, Barton College, Belmont Abbey College, Coker College, Converse College, Erskine College, Lees-McRae College, Limestone College, Mount Olive College, Pfeiffer University, Queens University of Charlotte, and St. Andrews Presbyterian College.
