New Orleans – Recently, six University of New Orleans student-athletes spent a day in Thibodaux, Louisiana on the campus of Nicholls State University. However, they weren't in Lafourche Parish for heated competition on the fields of play against the Colonels.
The occasion was the Student-Athlete Institute of Leadership (SAIL). It's the second year of the gathering of student leaders from five Southland Conference schools. It's a chance for participants to exchange ideas on leadership on their teams and on campus. SAIL also targets Southland schools that may lack the resources to send representatives to similar national conferences.
New Orleans student-athletes participating were, Lucas Marcello, Michael Strong, Alex Hawkins and Marvin Kador of men's track, Damion Rosser, men's basketball and UNO Student-Athlete Advisory Council president, Alyssa Quixley.
The Privateer contingent was joined by student-athlete leaders from host Nicholls, Southeastern Louisiana, McNeese and Northwestern State.
"It was a great experience both years," said Quixley. "It gives us a chance to expand on our leadership qualities while working with student-athletes from other schools within the conference. It's nice to be able to interact with the other student-athletes without the pressure of game day building a rivalry between us."
Participants went through a combination of leadership and team building activities and a career coach gave a business etiquette presentation. There were also roundtable discussions sharing ideas regarding issues faced on campus.
Kirsten Elleby, Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Enrichment/SWA, says it's the athletic department's goal to give students opportunities to enhance their leadership skills and provide professional development opportunities.
"I was delighted that our students had an opportunity to meet fellow student-athletes at our peer institutions and share ideas about how to be true leaders on their teams and on their campuses."
The Student Athlete Institute of Leadership was the idea of Nicholls State football player and SAAC President Al Wilson.
