April 25, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Ten Horizon League student-athletes will head to the Walt Disney World Resort to take part in the 2008 NCAA Leadership Development Conference May 25-29 in Orlando, Fla.
Each League institution will be represented by one student-athlete. The 2008 event, which is in its 12th year, will be conducted in two sessions - the first will be held from May 25-27 and the second will run May 27-29.
Attending the four-day conference will be freshman Zach Hahn (men's basketball) of Butler University, junior Steven Wipprecht (men's tennis) from Cleveland State University, junior Dominica Whittaker (women's basketball) of the University of Detroit Mercy, sophomore Briana Hinkle (women's basketball) from the University of Illinois at Chicago, junior Pam Staton (cross country/track and field) of Loyola University Chicago, junior Karen Korb (softball) from Valparaiso University, junior Cordero Barkley (men's basketball) of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, sophomore Emily Budde (track and field) from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, junior Nick Camilleri (men's tennis) of Wright State University and junior Emily Wollet (track and field) from Youngstown State University.
The goal of the NCAA Leadership Development Conference is to provide an opportunity for the country's top student-athletes to take part in challenging, thought-provoking activities that allow them to become better leaders at their schools and in their communities.
Each student-athlete nominated was required to write a personal essay detailing his/her academic, athletic and community achievements.
All those nominated must be returning to school for the 2008-09 academic year, have participated in an NCAA-sponsored sport during the 2007-08 academic year, be in good academic standing, show the ability or a strong desire to lead and participate fully in all conference activities.
The NCAA Leadership Development Conference also provides NCAA student-athletes with a forum to openly discuss issues that may affect them on their campuses and in their communities, while also providing them with the opportunity to enhance their leadership, communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills.