General | 4/6/2022 1:36:37 PM
A group of 40 student-athletes from all Empire 8 member institutions attended the 2022 Empire 8 Student-Athlete Leadership Summit on Friday, March 25 and Saturday, March 26 from Woodcliff Hotel and Spa in Fairport, NY. During the 2022 event, student-athletes heard presentations focused on diversity and inclusion and participated in a variety of leadership-based activities throughout the two-day event.
“My weekend spent at the Empire 8 summit was an eye-opening experience,” said DJ Harter, a junior from the Utica University men’s basketball team. “It was a weekend full of learning new things. I was able to learn more about other people. I was able to learn more about myself. And I was able to collaborate with student from all over the conference. It was a one of a kind experience that I will remember forever.”
Jen Fry of Jen Fry Talks was the keynote speaker for the event. Fry runs JenFryTalks, LLC, which is a social justice education firm that uses conversation to educate and empower those within athletics through an anti-racist lens on issues of race, inclusion, intersectionality, diversity, and equity. We facilitate dialogue with small and large groups, athletic departments, athletic teams, staff, administrations, schools, affinity groups, identity groups, and much more. We use our anti-racist lens to advise on best practices that will create equitable searches, hiring, onboarding practices, methods of retaining staff, retaining student-athletes, supporting student-athletes, staff and coaches, and community building.
In addition to conversations with Jen Fry, the student-athletes completed an NCAA DISC leadership assessment, held a discussion on SAAC programming and Division III week. The group also participated in the Minute-to-Win-it challenge and each school made a donation of Pop Tabs to the Ronald McDonald House.
“Jen Fry was incredibly informative, passionate and engaging with our student-athletes which set the tone for an incredible event,” said Joe Venniro, Empire 8 Associate Commissioner. “Our student-athletes and administrators led some great conversations and shared so many great ideas, which will be implemented on their campuses. Most importantly, it was refreshing to hold the Summit in person after holding a series of virtual events last year due to COVID-19.”
“The Empire 8 Summit was a very worthwhile time,” said Maddie Young, first-year from the Nazareth field hockey. “I learned about ways to improve communication with my teammates, as well as how to use my voice as a student-athlete to create change. I also met many amazing athletes from other colleges and built lasting relationships.”
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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