Air Force Academy helps host NACDA Spring Symposium
4/11/2017 12:00:00 AM | General
The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), together with the U.S. Air Force Academy, hosted the Inaugural Spring Symposium presented by IMG College, April 9-11 in Colorado Springs, Colo.
This unique event brought together collegiate athletics directors and academicians from one of the nation's prestigious military academies. The intent is to provide a professional development opportunity to enhance the leadership tactics of ADs on college campuses across the country.
"Air Force Athletics Director Jim Knowlton and Lieutenant General Michelle Johnson have gone above and beyond in embracing the NACDA membership and enhancing the sessions with their expertise, and we feel confident that utilizing the similar leadership incubators at all of our nation's military institutions will be a staple of Spring Symposium programming for years to come," said NACDA Executive Director Bob Vecchione.
Sessions at the Academy were held at The Center for Character & Leadership Development (CCLD). The CCLD aims to facilitate programs and activities throughout all aspects of cadet life, which help cadets develop their internal moral compass. The Center supports all eight pillars of the Academy Essence, in particular, developing character and leadership. The CCLD is under the direction of Dr. David LaRivee, associate professor at the Academy.
The symposium included a general session on sexual assault prevention programs. The programming also included several featured sessions with veteran athletics directors. A pair of NACDA Past Presidents, Joe Castiglione (Oklahoma) and Kevin White (Duke), discussed their own experiences regarding leadership in college athletics as part of a panel discussion.
Gen Johnson gave opening remarks to open the day Monday and was followed by Knowlton, IMG College President Tim Pernetti and Vecchione. Dr. Kimberly Dickman, sexual assault prevention and response analyst at the Academy, hosted a holistic approach to sexual assault prevention. Members had lunch with the cadets at the Academy, then took part in breakout sessions about character development, led by LaRivee and leadership enrichment, led by Col. Gary Packard, department head of behavioral science and leadership and vice dean at the Academy.
There were also sessions on clean eating, utilizing simple and healthy food choices into daily diet. The session was led by Sara Green, owner, Passion Food Health Coaching. She also hosted a session on how to find balance and improve health and happiness amongst the daily demands of life. A reception at the Academy's Carlton House closed Monday.
Tuesday's programing returned to the Broadmoor and included sessions on finding balance between professional and personal lives led by Gene Smith, director of athletics at The Ohio State University, and his wife Sheila. Lt. Gen. Samuel Cox, former commandant at the Academy, was introduced by Knowlton and led a resiliency/well-being session followed by breakout sessions to wrap up panel discussions.
About NACDA: NACDA, now in its 52nd year, is the professional and educational Association for more than 15,700 college athletics administrators at more than 1,700 institutions throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. More than 5,500 athletics administrators annually attend NACDA & Affiliates Convention Week. Additionally, NACDA manages 17 professional associations and three foundations. For more information on NACDA, visit www.nacda.com.
