COLONIA, N.J. – Four representatives from the East Coast Conference are set to attend the 2025 NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum, to be held from November 20-23 in Dallas, TX. D'Youville University men's lacrosse senior Logan Schwartz, Mercy University women's lacrosse junior Riley Wallace, and Molloy University women's cross country and track and field senior Kathleen Healy will serve as the ECC's student-athlete nominees while Molloy's Assistant Athletic Director for Game Operations and Associate Head Softball Coach Alex Russo will represent as an administrator. 

Created in 1997, the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum has served as a life-changing experience for more than 5,000 student-athletes who have grown personally and professionally as a result of their attendance. Student-athletes selected to attend the forum return to campus with invaluable leadership skills, a refined understanding of the relationship among personal values, core beliefs and behavioral styles, and the support of a close personal network of like-minded peers to provide continued connection and dialogue after the program concludes.
"I'm excited to take part in the NCAA Leadership Forum because it is providing me with an incredible opportunity to grow as a leader, connect with other student-athletes and administrators from across the country, and bring back ideas which can help me to positively impact my campus," said Healy, who serves as Molloy SAAC's President and ECC SAAC's Chair. "The forum will help me to strengthen my voice and develop skills that will extend past athletics and help me to be a leader across all aspects of my life. When I attend the forum, I hope to gain a better understanding of how I can create a meaningful impact in leadership roles. I want to develop new strategies for motivating others, strengthening team culture, and increasing collaboration. I look forward to hearing about others' experiences as leaders and how I can strengthen my own skills."
This best-in-class programming experience serves as a transformational opportunity for student-athletes and administrators to build a leadership toolkit and develop vital self-awareness that allows them to realize their potential.

"I'm excited to network, meet student-athletes, and improve myself as a leader," added Schwartz. "Moreover, this is a great opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself to be uncomfortable. I'm also excited to represent the ECC and D'Youville University. From this event, I hope to gain leadership experience that I can bring back to my school and my team, which can help us in our upcoming season. I also hope to learn from others and improve my communication skills as a listener."
Both participating student-athletes and attending administrators and coaches return from the forum with enhanced leadership capabilities that allow them to thrive personally, professionally and even athletically. Learners are assigned to a "color team" with about 30 other attendees, and within those frequent color team sessions, they work in an open environment with trained facilitators to engage in discussions regarding leadership and its many components. They build a family of team members that encourages vulnerability, challenges one another with diverse perspectives, and provides unconditional support during and after the program.

"I'm so grateful for the opportunity to attend this event because I'm excited to learn how to better myself as a leader," said Wallace. "I hope to learn valuable skills I can apply on and off the field to be the best captain I can be for my teammates. Other than learning to become the best leader I can be, I am also excited to meet other athletes who are just as involved as I am. I look forward to the experience of traveling to Texas in a whole new environment that is outside of New York, as well as being able to compare other student-athletes' experiences to mine in their school environment."
 
In addition to impactful color team sessions, they feel the rewards of a community service project, learn about the inner workings of the NCAA, and hear from resonant keynote speakers who share powerful stories and teachings. Active learning is a priority for all facilitators and speakers at the Student-Athlete Leadership Forum. One of the most rewarding aspects of the program is the participants' ability to learn and grow alongside newly forged connections who often remain valuable for decades to come. After four days on-site, participants return to campus or conference offices feeling rejuvenated, connected and confident.
"I'm excited about this opportunity because it offers a unique opportunity to learn from experienced coaches, administrators, and fellow student-athletes passionate about sports leadership," added Russo. "I look forward to gaining insight into how strong leadership can positively impact team culture, performance, and personal development. I hope to better understand effective leadership in coaching and athletic administration, especially in communication, team building, and decision-making. This event will help me grow as a leader in athletics and prepare me for future roles where I can make a meaningful impact in sports programs."

For more information on the 2025 NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum, please click here.