INDIANAPOLIS --- A diverse representation of Division II student-athletes, athletics administrators and coaches will convene at the Division II Leadership Academy in Kansas City, Missouri on September 15-17. In its eighth year and expecting the largest attendance to date, the Academy is designed to give participants the tools necessary to develop leadership skills, become more familiar with divisional, national and institutional issues and generate ways to implement positive change on their respective campuses.

Student-athletes selected to attend the Academy have exhibited impressive leadership qualities at their institutions.  The goal of the weekend-long Academy is to provide an educational experience that will nurture the leadership abilities of the participants and enable them to continue to make a significant difference on their campuses.

The mission of the Division II Leadership Academy is to engage participants in leadership education to enhance self-awareness and facilitate partnerships that will affect progress on campuses, within conferences, throughout Division II, and beyond the collegiate realm.

"The NCAA Division II Leadership Academy is one of the most important educational and learning opportunities offered by the national office for the Division II membership,” said Mike Racy, Division II vice-president.  “The Leadership Academy is an event that celebrates the special attributes that exist in Division II, and provides student-athletes, coaches, faculty and administrators with tools to provide leadership at the local level."

Throughout the Leadership Academy, participants will reflect on their own leadership abilities and become more aware of the roles they play on their campuses as well as in the greater community.  A significant part of the agenda will focus on the Division II model athletics program guidelines, governance structure and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. 

The culmination of the weekend includes a keynote by 2006 NCAA Inspiration Award winner Lois Taurman, a former three-sport standout at Bellarmine University. The student-athletes and administrators from each of the institutions in attendance will also come together to discuss the Division II Community Engagement Initiative.

Leadership Academies are held twice each academic year with each Division II institution placed in one of five regions.  Each institution must send one male and one female student-athlete, as well as one coach or administrator.  Forty-six institutions from the Central Region will participate in this week’s Leadership Academy.

The 46 institutions are: Abilene Christian University; Angelo State University; Ashland University; Bellarmine University; Cameron University; Central Missouri State University; Drury University; East Central University; Emporia State University; Ferris State University; Fort Hays State University; Gannon University; Grand Valley State University; Hillsdale College; Kentucky Wesleyan College; Lake Superior State University; Lewis University; Mercyhurst College; Michigan Technological University; Missouri Southern State University; Missouri Western State College; Montana State University-Billings; Northern Kentucky University; Northern Michigan University; Northwest Missouri State University; Northwood University; Oakland City University; Pittsburg State University; Quincy University; Rockhurst University; Saginaw Valley State University; Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville; Southwest Baptist University; St. Edward’s University; St. Mary’s University (Texas); Texas A&M University-Commerce; Texas A&M University-Kingsville; Texas Woman’s University; Truman State University; University of Findlay; University of Indianapolis; University of Missouri, Rolla; University of Southern Indiana; University of Wisconsin, Parkside; Wayne State University (Michigan); West Texas A&M University.

Upcoming Division II Leadership Academies include the Mid-Atlantic Region in February 2007; West Region in September 2007; and Northeast Region in February 2008.  Additional information may be found at www.ncaa.org/leadership.