ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College intercollegiate athletics department continued its Leadership Academy curriculum for 2014-15 with a culminating event on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at Textor Hall. The event gathered Leadership Academy enrollment classes from all four class years and included a panel conversation to detail and discuss many leadership topics that have been explored over the first year of the innovative and unique Ithaca College Leadership Academy.

Opening remarks from Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreational Sports Susan Bassett '79 welcomed the group and outlined the goals of the program in helping participants in their college athletics endeavors and future professional lives.

"This year has been a great start and I'm very proud of the work that we've done together," Bassett '79 said. "I thank the panelists, the coaches for supporting this and you, the student-athletes for being part of this. This is just the beginning and we will continue to strive to achieve great things. Thank you and congratulations."

Dr. Greg Shelley moderated a discussion panel that consisted of four current student-athletes and three members of the Ithaca College coaching staff. Student-athletes Leigh Martino (women's track & field), Max Masucci (men's basketball), Malik Morris (football) and Kevin Collins (wrestling) were joined by women's basketball head coach Dan Raymond, football assistant coach and defensive coordinator Mark McDonough '02 and women's swimming & diving head coach Paula Miller.

"We're not trying to get you to understand leadership, we're trying to get you to be great leaders who stand out and really lead your teams," Shelley told the audience of participants that packed the lecture hall. "Hopefully you're better leaders now than you were a year ago."

The conversation and comments by panel members touched on a number of leadership topics such as defining leadership and providing examples, developing leadership skills, evaluating the differences between vocal leadership and leadership by example, holding peers accountable, and developing team unity.

The event attracted more than 250 students who are involved in the Academy as well as several Ithaca College head coaches and assistant coaches.

The Leadership Academy, led by Dr. Greg Shelley, instills traits and philosophies that will be applicable in athletes' sport participation at Ithaca College and will also serve them in professional and personal endeavors for the rest of their lives. The program was introduced in the spring of 2014 and is fully implemented for the 2014-15 school year. Approximately 300 student-athletes representing all 27 varsity sports are participating in the program, which builds upon its curriculum across each year of the Academy.

EVENT PHOTOS – March 25