NaDean Schroeder, Asst. AD for Media and Public Relations
PORTLAND, Ore. – Two Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons student-athletes represented the University at the 2010 NCAA DII Leadership Academy, Feb. 19-21.
The Leadership Academy was open to student-athletes, coaches and administrators at the NCAA DII level that wanted to enhance their leadership skills while helping formulate strategies to positively affect their campus, conference and communities.
MSUM junior student-atheltes, Leigh Splittstoesser (volleyball) and Matt Birr (football) attended the Academy with Associate Athletics Director Sylvia Barnier.
The NCAA DII Leadership Academy's objectives were to produce learning and action outcomes, where the attendee will gain knowledge in a wide array of topics to obtain goals that include, but are not limited to: assessing behavioral styles to enhance communication, gain a better understanding of the NCAA DII and the role of the SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee), establishing an inter-conference and regional network of peers and engaging in the examination of critical DII issues, etc.
“The academy really helped me figure out what type of leader I am and how I can apply that to our campus and community,” Birr said. “Not only did we learn a lot that will help us set new goals for MSUM's SAAC and our student-athlete involvement, but we also shared all of the wonderful things we are doing right now at MSUM, that make us a leader in Division II.”
The SAAC committee on MSUM’s campus recently raised over $800 for the Make-a-Wish Foundation through a Penny War between the athletics teams. The event helped promote awareness of the NCAA DII’s charitable group partner as well as provided more camaraderie and competition between the teams.
The next event for the Dragons SAAC will be the Dragon Fire Walk for Athletics on April 17, 2010. For more information on the Dragon Fire Walk for Athletics or how to support athletics scholarships please visit www.dragonwalk.com