Shaping Champions On and Off the Field
ECIC Hosts First Annual Student Athlete Leadership Summit
On March 27, 2024 the Erie County Interscholastic Conference (ECIC) hosted the first annual Student Athlete Leadership Summit at the Orchard Park Community Center. There were students and staff from 27 schools in attendance.
The Student Athlete Leadership Summit is designed to cultivate the leadership potential within student athletes across high schools in Western New York, providing them with the tools, strategies, and inspiration needed to excel not only in their sport but also in life. By participating in this summit, student athletes develop essential leadership skills, forge meaningful connections with peers and mentors, and emerge as empowered leaders ready to make a positive impact in their teams, schools and communities.
“We are honored to host the first annual Student Athlete Leadership Summit,” says Jim Graczyck, ECIC Executive Director.
The event featured interactive workshops, keynote presentations from esteemed athletes and leaders, and collaborative discussions exploring topics in sportsmanship, expectation-setting and mental health awareness.
Featured keynote speaker, Missy West, spoke on the value of ‘crushing your inner critic.’ West is a motivational speaker and certified personal trainer with the Positive Coaching Alliance. She feels sports has given her a voice in which has allowed her to follow her passion to serve people and to educate and inspire youth, parents and coaches.
“We hope this event fosters a culture of leadership, integrity, and excellence among our student athletes both on and off the field,” says Graczyck.