IHSAA Student Leadership Conference
Today was an experience that I will never forget. I was fortunate enough to be able to speak today at the Fourth Annual IHSAA Student Leadership Conference held at Carmel High School. Myself and Chris teamed up together and spoke about two topics that we both know very well. He spoke about marketing, communicating with the media and a controversial topic, Facebook. I spoke about the demands and expectations of a Division I athlete.
Until I arrived at the high school, I did not realize just how big the event was. They gave each presenter a information binder about the entire event and I had time to read through it thoroughly. I read that this event ranks as the largest one-day state athletic association student leadership conference in the country. I was even more excited to speak. I would be able to hopefully influence the future college athletes and continue to steer them in the right direction. There were almost 900 student athletes that attended today. This is also a huge resume builder for me because of the magnitude of the event.
Chris and I spoke three different times today and had a great time with the students and coaches. Right before lunch, everyone packed into the auditorium to watch what they thought was just a comedy magic show by Stephen Bargatze. He was actually not only a comedian and a great magician, but he was an unbelievable and truly inspiring motivational speaker. It was “Magic With a Message”.
He told the crowd the story of his life and connected it to his magic. I really wish that every school in the nation could hear Stephen speak. He told the crowd that he did not grow up in the best home environment and that things were never a “walk in the park” for him. He told us he even attempted to take his life at one point. Then he told us how he and his wife now have three children and he was a grandfather. He never would have been a grandfather if he had succeeded in taking his life. He didn’t think of that at the time. Everyone was very touched by the entire show and he got a standing ovation.
Overall, I met a lot of new people and did plenty of networking. The opportunity to be part of this event was truly a blessing to me. It was a great day. The rest of the week I will be working the basketball camp with the youth. Updates on some new guys who have showed up for the second session of summer school coming soon! Stay tuned!
