INDIANAPOLIS -- North Carolina Central University rising senior Ayana Wright has been selected to participate at the seventh annual NCAA Leadership Conference from May 25-29 at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort and the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
     Wright, a middle hitter on the Lady Eagle volleyball team and native of Waverly, VA, is one of 302 student-athletes across the country who have been tabbed as current or future leaders on their college campuses that will meet to discuss key issues in intercollegiate athletics and to enhance their leadership skills.
     "Being selected to participate in the NCAA Leadership Conference is a great opportunity for North Carolina Central University and Ayana," said George Smith, NCCU's Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development. "Participating in the program shows our institution produces leaders of tomorrow. This event will also allow Ayana to get a hands-on experience to further enhance her leadership abilities."
     The 2003 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 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. Student-athletes attending the leadership conference represent Divisions I, II and III, and fall, winter and spring sports. 
     During the five-day event, student-athletes have 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.