July 21, 2011
Center Valley, Pa. - The Patriot League Council of Presidents has endorsed a Leadership Academy Initiative which represents a collective commitment to develop, challenge and support scholar-athletes and coaches in their continual quest to become world-class leaders in academics, athletics and life.
"We are pleased to provide another opportunity for the academic and personal growth of our student-athletes," said Alice Gast, Lehigh University President and Chair of the Patriot League Council of Presidents. "This comprehensive approach to formal leadership development will help our scholar-athletes be more successful during their college careers and enable them to develop the skills and confidence to become leaders in society. ."
The Leadership Academy provides cutting edge leadership development programming through interactive workshops, feedback, one-on-one coaching, peer mentoring, supplemental online training and educational resources. Each member institution will receive funding for the Leadership Academy for the next four years.
"This formation of a league-wide leadership initiative puts structure to something we have all been doing in one form or another," said Richard Regan, College of the Holy Cross Athletic Director and Chair of the Patriot League Committee on Athletic Administration. "This is a powerful leadership program that will make a difference in the lives of our student-athletes. Life skills, such as the ability to lead, will benefit all of our student-athletes irrespective of whatever career path they may choose."
The Patriot League Leadership Academy provides another platform to help student-athletes become leaders and make meaningful contributions to society. The Patriot League promotes opportunities for students to compete in Division I intercollegiate athletics programs within a context that holds paramount the high academic standards and integrity of member institutions, and the academic and personal growth of student-athletes.
"The Patriot League is committed to developing today's scholar-athletes into tomorrow's leaders, and we are truly excited about this unique opportunity to provide professional leadership training to all of our institutions," said Executive Director Carolyn Schlie Femovich. "This substantive and systematic leadership development program ensures that our student-athletes have the skills necessary to lead now and in the future."
The Patriot League continually demonstrates that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing its high standards. The Patriot League's athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes that are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.