Three Wittenberg student-athletes and Sof tball Head Coach Becky Hall gained new perspectives at the NCA A Division III Student-Athlete Regional Leadership Conference in Itasca, Ill., last fall.

Softball infielder Lucille Huelsman '07 from Wellington, Ohio, golfer Jeff Hochstetler '09 from Plain City, Ohio, and track and f ield athlete Nicole Bailey '08 from Cincinnati, Ohio, were selected to attend the conference due to their involvement in Wittenberg's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SA AC). Hall said the students also were chosen because of their leadership abilities.

"It was a very energizing and empowering conference," Hall said. "I think it was both a learning opportunity and a great, fun experience."

The conference, themed "Connecting the Rhythms of Leadership," included sessions on leadership skills, the structure of the NCA A and Division III, and developing improvement plans within different campuses and the conference. The primary objective of the conference, however, "focus[ed] on various areas to empower student-athletes to become agents of positive change," according to the NCAA's Web site.

Huelsman said it was a positive learning experience.

"I have gained a broader and more accurate understanding of what the NCA A is and how it serves studentathletes," she said. "I also gained a better understanding of what SAAC is and how it can have an influence on campus."

Approximately 65 Division III schools were represented at the conference, with more than 140 student-athletes in attendance. Discussion groups were facilitated by coaches and athletic administrators, with the student-athletes' opinions and viewpoints taking front and center.

"I learned how to be a better leader through all the activities and meetings we participated in," Hochstetler said. "I hope to be a better, more positive and encouraging leader on my team. I also hope to be a better leader in SAAC."

— Ryan Maurer