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For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 23, 2001 UTPA’S CYNTHIA KASPER
SET FOR NCAA FOUNDATION LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
INDIANAPOLIS, IN-The University of Texas-Pan
American volleyball player Cynthia Kasper (Jr. Austin, TX/Connally HS)
has received an honor from the NCAA Foundation. Kasper is one of 300 athletes across the nation
invited to represent their schools at the 2002 NCAA Foundation
Leadership Conference, scheduled for May 26-30 at Disney’s Wide World
of Sports and Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Kasper, a three-year veteran of the Lady Broncs
volleyball team, was chosen from among 1183 student-athletes nominated
by 296 institutions. The student-athletes were selected from NCAA
universities and colleges that participate in the NCAA CHAMPS/Life
Skills Program. The NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference aims to
develop a diverse group of student-athletes who can actively participate
in and experience a multitude of challenging and thought-provoking
activities that will enable them to become change agents on their
campuses and in their communities. “I’m excited to be going,” said Kasper.
“I’m the first female student-athlete to be chosen from our school.
It looks like it will be a great opportunity to learn a lot of
leadership skills, and I’m hoping to share some of my experiences when
I get back.” “Cynthia is a great representative for the
athletic department and UTPA at the NCAA Foundation Leadership
Conference,” said UTPA Director of Academic Support and Student
Services for Athletics Chris Uchacz. “We are excited that she will be
attending, and will be able to return to campus in order to share her
newfound knowledge with our student-athlete advisory committee. This is
a great honor for Cynthia, and we’re very proud of her.” Kasper will be the third Texas-Pan American athlete
in four years to attend the conference. Reggie Kuzet was chosen in 2000,
and Gonzalo Gonzalez was selected in 1999. “Our athletic program at UTPA continues to foster
an environment that encourages our student-athletes to be leaders in the
classroom, on the athletic field of play, and in the community,” said
UTPA Director of Athletics William J. Weidner. “The NCAA Foundation
Leadership Conference provides an excellent opportunity for selected
student-athletes to develop leadership skills that will enable them to
successfully take on a leadership role in their future endeavors.” “We are pleased to learn of Cynthia Kasper’s
selection,” added Weidner. “She will be an excellent representative
of our department and our university.” GE-08-02042402 |