INDIANAPOLIS---NCAA Division III student-athletes, athletics administrators and coaches will meet in Pittsburgh, October 15-17, to discuss opportunities and challenges that are specific to their division during the Division III Student-Athlete Regional Leadership Conference.

The mission of the Division III Student-Athlete Regional Leadership Conference is to prepare student-athletes for leadership in a diverse and dynamic society.  Student-athletes, coaches and athletics administrators work together to facilitate critical dialogue, address Division III specific issues and create the partnerships needed to impact positive change at the campus, conference and divisional levels.

“The purpose is to encourage [student-athletes] to effect change on campus,” said Dallas Pride, assistant director of education outreach.  “We want to show them they can have an impact, they have a voice.  We want to let them know what it really means to be a leader.  The conference is a way to develop skills, connect with and inspire people, and learn what resources the NCAA has to offer.”

As a result of their participation in the Division III Student-Athlete Regional Leadership Conference, attendees enhance their critical thinking and leadership skills; ability to work collaboratively with others; exposure to national, local and divisional issues; understanding of their role as student-athletes and administrators within the NCAA governance structure, their conference and on their campus.

Attendees also enhance communication on campus between student-athletes, administrators and coaches; improve the wellbeing of student-athletes by engaging them in the examination of critical issues; share an understanding of what they learned with other student-athletes on campus; complete campus projects that meet established criteria; and submit a project evaluation form about their plan to NCAA staff.

The student-athletes attending the Division III Student Athlete Regional Leadership Conference represent a wide array of NCAA sports.  Additionally, the Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), which is the “voice of the student-athlete” within the NCAA governance structure, also will have a strong presence at the conference.

The conference in Pittsburgh will host student-athletes, athletics administrators and coaches affiliated with member institutions in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States.

Upcoming Division III Student-Athlete Leadership Conferences include the Midwest Region in January 2005; West Region in October 2005; Northeast Region in January 2006; South Region in October 2006; and Atlantic Region in January 2007.