Ciolek Represents Buffalo State at NCAA Leadership Conference
Junior softball player Tiffany Ciolek (Great Valley/Salamanca) represented Buffalo State in the seventh annual NCAA Leadership Conference at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort and the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, FL, from May 25-29.
Ciolek, a three-year member of the Bengals softball team who also played this past season with Buffalo State's basketball team, was one of 302 student-athletes selected to attend the conference in Buffalo State's first year of eligibility. The student-athlete leaders were selected from a total of 1,172 nomination forms that were submitted by college and university officials who have NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills programs at their schools. A total of 48 coaches, athletic administrators and program facilitators joined the student-athletes at the conference in addition to 24 members of the national Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
"I was very honored to be selected for this conference," Ciolek said. "It was the most incredible experience of my life. I have never met so many inspiring people. I am excited to begin to implement many of the ideas I learned at the conference."
The NCAA Leadership Conference is one of the largest non-competitive gatherings of NCAA student-athletes. The conference is designed to enhance student-athletes' leadership and communication skills and to enable them to become more effective leaders and motivators when they return to their campuses. The convention setting provided the student-athletes with an opportunity to create dialogue surrounding topics that affect them on campus and in their communities. The conference also provided them with exercises to enhance their decision-making and problem-solving skills, and improve planning and priority management.
During the five-day event, student-athletes had the opportunity to discuss a variety of topics, which include the demands and expectations of student-athletes; inclusion education; international student-athlete experiences; recruiting visits; student-athlete responsibility; party behaviors; trust gaps within intercollegiate athletics; and sportsmanship.
Ciolek, a three-year member of the Bengals softball team who also played this past season with Buffalo State's basketball team, was one of 302 student-athletes selected to attend the conference in Buffalo State's first year of eligibility. The student-athlete leaders were selected from a total of 1,172 nomination forms that were submitted by college and university officials who have NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills programs at their schools. A total of 48 coaches, athletic administrators and program facilitators joined the student-athletes at the conference in addition to 24 members of the national Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
"I was very honored to be selected for this conference," Ciolek said. "It was the most incredible experience of my life. I have never met so many inspiring people. I am excited to begin to implement many of the ideas I learned at the conference."
The NCAA Leadership Conference is one of the largest non-competitive gatherings of NCAA student-athletes. The conference is designed to enhance student-athletes' leadership and communication skills and to enable them to become more effective leaders and motivators when they return to their campuses. The convention setting provided the student-athletes with an opportunity to create dialogue surrounding topics that affect them on campus and in their communities. The conference also provided them with exercises to enhance their decision-making and problem-solving skills, and improve planning and priority management.
During the five-day event, student-athletes had the opportunity to discuss a variety of topics, which include the demands and expectations of student-athletes; inclusion education; international student-athlete experiences; recruiting visits; student-athlete responsibility; party behaviors; trust gaps within intercollegiate athletics; and sportsmanship.
Media Contact:
Jeffrey Ventura, Sports Information Director | 7168786030 | venturjm@buffalostate.edu