The 2017 Council of Student-Athletes Leadership Symposium
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference held its Spring Meetings in Cleveland May 30th through June 1st. MAC Council of Student-Athletes (COSA) were given the opportunity to partake in the full MAC Joint Council meetings. Following the Council meetings, COSA attended the MAC Leadership Symposium.
COSA is an opportunity the Conference Office facilitates for two student-athletes from each institution every year. The MAC Leaders conduct multiple conference calls throughout the year to discuss different topics with an end of the year culmination at the Leadership Symposium.
“Each year I am increasingly impressed by the discussions and ideas that this group is able to collaborate on and build off of each meeting,” said Miami’s Kelsi White, who is the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Vice Chair and MAC COSA Chair. “I count myself incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to work with so many phenomenal leaders and student-athletes. From baseball games, to serious discussions on time obligations, transfers, you name it, this symposium not only fosters great friendships but leadership and community as well, and that was incredibly evident with the group this year.”
This year, the student-athletes in attendance discussed transfer rules, early recruiting, serious misconduct and summer expectations. They were all able to voice their thoughts and opinions on each topic.
"The leadership symposium was a great experience,” said Miami’s Kenny Glenn. “I had a great time interacting with leaders from schools all across the conference. I gained ideas that could be transferred to better my school's athletic program. Also, it gave a sense of empowerment because our opinions mattered as we discussed important topics related to college athletics."
"There were great discussions about key issues facing the NCAA, the MAC, and student-athlete well-being," said Northern Illinois' Taylor Perkins. "It was a pleasure to discuss these topics with such talented and influential student-athletes from the MAC."
COSA also has a driving voice in the MAC’s ongoing Mental Health and Diversity initiatives. They discussed the focus of the mental health inititive for the 2017-18 academic year as well as the MAC diversity and inclusion week.
“The Leadership Symposium is something that I look forward to every year,” said Eastern Michigan’s Chris Cutter. “It is something that I believe truly brings together the Mid-American Conference and lets you be the voice of all the student athletes throughout all institutions in the conference. You also get to meet some of the greatest STUDENT athletes in the country and create lasting, memorable relationships with each and every one of them.”
“My experience at the 2017 MAC leadership symposium was nothing short of phenomenal,” said Central Michigan’s Derek Edwards. “When you play for a conference that values the opinions of their athletes as much as the MAC does, it really makes it that much more fun to play your respective sport.”
COSA gives student-athletes the opportunity to join student-athletes from other member institutions and MAC staff to learn about the Conference, NCAA issues, leadership and other hot topics throughout the academic year.
“This year’s symposium was extremely lively with more discussion than any year that I have attended,” said Central Michigan’s Evie Lorimer. “As always, it was an awesome opportunity to get to better know the student-athletes from other universities. We had a great group and enjoyed ourselves a lot. I feel so blessed to have had this opportunity to be on the COSA. I will miss being able to represent my university. Fire up forever!”
“I met some passionate leaders at the symposium,” said Bowling Green’s Amanda Washko. “I am grateful to be a part of the MAC and to have an opportunity to voice concerns on behalf of student-athletes. That's what makes this conference so amazing.”
MAC Leaders will continue to work hard in representing the MAC student-athlete voice, being community leaders and at the forefront of destigmatizing mental health issues within the student-athlete population.
"The Symposium was an experience I will always be thankful I got to be a part of," said Miami's Alyssa Hedric. "The great discussions and incredible people made it truly amazing. I'm so glad I had the privilege of meeting the other COSA members, and even though I only just met most of them, I know they will be successful in whatever they set out to achieve."
