Albany, GA – Albany State University proudly recognizes Demetri Wilson for his participation in the NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar (ELS), held from February 5-7 at the NCAA National Office in Indianapolis, Indiana. Wilson, Coordinator of Football Operations with ASU Athletics and recipient of the NCAA Division II Ethnic Minorities and Women's Internship Grant, was selected to attend the three-day professional development program, which welcomed nearly 200 interns and graduate assistants from NCAA member institutions, conference offices, and affiliate organizations.

The Emerging Leaders Seminar, hosted annually since 2008 by the NCAA leadership development staff, provides participants with leadership training, educational resources, and career development opportunities. This year's theme, "Lead Like a Superhero: Unleash Your Superpowers," encouraged attendees to embrace their unique leadership qualities and apply them to the evolving landscape of college athletics.

Throughout the seminar, attendees engaged in breakout sessions, panel discussions, and networking receptions with NCAA staff and industry professionals. The program covered various key areas within college athletics, including Academics & Student-Athlete Development, Business & Finance, Coaching & Compliance, Mentorship & Relationship Management, and Personal Branding & Interview Best Practices.

The seminar featured impactful keynote speakers, including:

• Jeremiah Brown, former NFL athlete and professional speaker, shared insights on growth and impact within the athletics industry.
• Vicky Chun, Director of Athletics at Yale University, spoke about managing change and making effective decisions.
• Mark Trumbo, NCAA Associate Director of Leadership Development, closed the event by emphasizing the importance of discovering one's purpose, stepping out of comfort zones, and building strong professional relationships.

A significant component of the seminar was the DiSC assessment workshop, where Wilson and fellow attendees explored their personal and professional communication styles to enhance their leadership skills. Additionally, he participated in a group case study project, developing solutions to common challenges faced by collegiate athletic departments and presenting findings to a panel of experts.

"At Albany State, we're all about professional development and making sure our staff gets exposed to new opportunities so they can grow and bring that knowledge back to ASU," said Dr. Kristene Kelly, Director of Athletics. "I'm proud of Demetri for taking full advantage of the NCAA's Emerging Leaders Seminar and everything the Leadership Development Program has to offer. His growth only makes us better as we keep #CreatingLegacies!"

Wilson's participation in the NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar is a testament to Albany State University's commitment to professional development and leadership growth within its athletics department. His experience at ELS will not only benefit his career but also positively impact the Golden Rams community as he continues to contribute to the success of ASU Athletics.
 
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ABOUT ALBANY STATE ATHLETICS
Albany State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II-level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently fields teams in 11 sports: women's volleyball, women's tennis, women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, softball, men's and women's track and field, women's soccer, baseball, and football with all teams compete in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), except women's soccer, which participates in the Peach Belt Conference.