Since 1998 Westfield State student-athletes have attended the NCAA National Student-Athlete Development Conference. This year two Owls, Mike Chapin and Ian Wilson, have been chosen for the conference, which will take place May 24-27 in Orlando, Fla., at the Walt Disney World Coronado Spring Resort.
The primary purpose of the conference is leadership development.
“The goal is to understand their own leadership traits, figure out their strong traits, and try to work on their weaker ones,” said Nancy Bals, Westfield State associate athletics director.
Chapin is a sophomore member of the Westfield track and field team.
“When I found out I was selected I was extremely honored because I would be representing our school at such a big event,” said Chapin.
Wilson is a freshman member of the men’s ice hockey squad. As a first-year student, Wilson is going to take full advantage of the opportunity.
“I expect to learn. I'm still young and have a lot to learn as an athlete and a person,” Wilson said. “This conference should help me become a better leader on the ice and in the world in general. Overall, it should be a great experience and one that I'm really looking forward to.”
An NCAA selection committee chooses the student-athletes, and essays are part of the application process. The NCAA also monitors diversity as it selects the students.