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Hofstra University Athletics

THE PRIDE OF LONG ISLAND
THE PRIDE OF LONG ISLAND
CAA SAAC Leadership Summit Graphic

Athletics By Len Skoros

ATH: 2014 CAA SAAC Leadership Summit Recap

Hempstead, NY -  James Madison University served as the host of the 2014 Colonial Athletic Association's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Leadership Summit which was held November 9-10 in Harrisonburg, Va. One female and one male representative from each of the CAA's 10 member institutions, assembled to be the voice of their campus SAAC and provide insight on the student-athlete experience.

The Summit began Sunday in JMU's Bridgeforth Football Stadium Club with a warm welcome from JMU Faculty Athletic Representative, Dr. Roger Soenksen. The next portion of the Summit included a presentation from NCAA Facilitator, Monique A.J. Smith. Smith presented on the Step UP! Bystander Intervention Program. The Step UP! program breaks down bystander behaviors and teaches students five decision-making steps and strategies for effective helping. Participants were separated into groups and asked to create skits on how they would approach a certain situation which was followed by a group discussion. Smith's presentation helped equip the leaders with the decision making tools they need in order to "step up" as well as direct/indirect intervention tips. Smith ended her presentation by having the participants actively think of resources they are able to utilize in times of need.   

Following dinner, former JMU football player Raymond Brown served as the group's evening speaker. Brown, who currently serves as a professional development specialist at JMU, led a presentation entitled: "The Journey Called Leadership." Brown began his presentation by asking the participants to define what is and is not leadership and to describe what keeps an individual from taking the next steps in leadership. These three questions, in correlation with the Step UP! presentation, allowed participants to reflect and think about how they lead. Brown not only described the keys to leadership but encouraged student-athletes to share their individual stories as a way to positively impact others.  
 
On Monday, the student-athletes met with CAA Commissioner Tom Yeager to discuss various "hot topics" including student-athlete welfare, cost-of-attendance, NCAA student-athlete assistance fund, conference championships, and the goals of the CAA. The group also discussed ways of increasing participation in the CAA's Blood Challenge in the fall and the CAA Food Drive Challenge, the spring community service initiative. Both initiatives allow each CAA member institution to benefit their surrounding communities. The campus SAAC advisors also discussed their hot topics including leadership programming ideas, mobile applications for student safety, and delivery of Life Skills Programs.
 
In addition to lunch with JMU Athletic Director Jeff Bourne and JMU President Jonathan Alger, Monday afternoon also featured an administrative meeting. Hofstra University women's basketball player Syndi Epps, the CAA's national SAAC representative, talked about the national SAAC efforts and concerns. As the voice of all CAA student-athletes, she encouraged the group to share with her any ideas or questions that they would like her to take to the national level.
 
By the end of the two-day SAAC Leadership Summit, the participants were excited about what they had learned and ready to share the knowledge and ideas with their fellow student-athletes back on campus. The CAA would like to thank the JMU staff for hosting the 2014 CAA SAAC Leadership Summit as well as all the participants and presenters.
 
SAAC LEADERSHIP SUMMIT STUDENT-ATHLETE PARTICIPANTS                                                                 
Rachel Leder, College of Charleston - Women's Track and Field
Josh Record , College of Charleston - Men's Tennis
Lily Guttentag, Delaware - Women's Rowing
Luke Alicknavitch, Delaware - Baseball
Jayme Batcher, Drexel - Women's Rowing
David Hanrahan, Drexel - Men's Rowing
Grace Eng, Elon - Softball
Chris Hall, Elon - Baseball
Sydni Epps, Hofstra - Women's Basketball (National SAAC Rep)
Sarah Bowen, Hofstra - Women's Tennis
Chris Hardardt, Hofstra - Baseball
Amanda Presgraves, James Madison - Women's Swimming and Diving
Titus Till, James Madison - Football
Kelsey Turner, UNCW - Women's Track and Field
Brandon McLean, UNCW - Men's Track and Field
Alexa Armstrong, Northeastern - Women's Volleyball
Giovanni Gray, Northeastern - Men's Track and Field
Larissa Spiess, Towson - Women's Golf
Matt Collingwood, Towson - Men's Swimming and Diving
Mary Beth Berg, William & Mary - Women's Track and Field
Joey Shroyer, William & Mary - Men's Golf
  
SAAC LEADERSHIP SUMMIT CAMPUS SAAC ADVISOR PARTICIPANTS
Kristin Rusbolt - College of Charleston
Kristy Nix - Delaware
Rachel Guererra - Drexel
Faith Shearer - Elon
James Lally - Hofstra
Tiffany Hall - James Madison
Adam Fearing - UNCW
Justin Bell - Northeastern
Tricia Brandenburg - Towson
Deidre Connelly - William & Mary
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Players Mentioned

Sarah Bowen

Sarah Bowen

PLAYER
5' 5"
Junior
Chris Hardardt

#26 Chris Hardardt

C
6' 2"
Freshman
R/R
Sydni Epps

#3 Sydni Epps

G
5' 11"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Sarah Bowen

Sarah Bowen

5' 5"
Junior
PLAYER
Chris Hardardt

#26 Chris Hardardt

6' 2"
Freshman
R/R
C
Sydni Epps

#3 Sydni Epps

5' 11"
Junior
G