CCIW To Host First-Ever Student-Athlete Workshop

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) will host a first-ever student-athlete workshop Feb. 1-2 at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wis.

Each member school will bring up to four student-athletes and one advisor to the workshop for a weekend of education on a variety of topics. The workshop will feature guest speakers, team-building exercises and group activities all geared towards helping student-athletes become better leaders on their respective campuses and making the most out of their experiences as a collegiate athlete.

The workshop will also feature ideas on enhancing each campus’ Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), an organization that provides student-athletes with opportunities to get involved away from sports, including student-athlete-driven community service projects and other activities within their respective athletics department. The entire workshop is being funded through the NCAA Division III Strategic Initiative Grant Program.

“This workshop is a chance for student-athletes and athletics administrators to take a break from their busy schedule, come to Lake Geneva, and learn about ways to enhance their experiences on their respective campuses,” CCIW Commissioner Chris Martin said. “We’re excited about hosting this conference-wide event as it will be a benefit to everyone involved.”

Dr. Arnold Goldberg from the Center for Sport Psychology will be on hand to give presentations on teamwork and leadership while Stan Johnson, president and founder of Stan Johnson & Associates, will speak on diversity education. The workshop will also feature three breakout sessions, including Martin talking about the operational structure of the CCIW and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Carthage College Director of Student-Athlete Services Gary Williams talking about enhancing the campus SAAC, and NCAA Director of Diversity & Inclusion Jaime Fluker talking about making the most of the student-athlete experience.

The winner of the CCIW Shoe Drive service project will also be announced at the workshop. The school that collects the most pairs of shoe donations will receive money for their SAAC and a trophy.

Guest Speakers

Dr. Arnold Goldberg - Center for Sport Psychology
As a senior level executive, Dr. Arnold Goldberg is a proven leader with a successful track record in educational administration, with more than 27 years of executive experience in all aspects of school leadership. Dr. Goldberg has a strong background in transforming schools toward greater accountability, efficiency, productivity and academic achievement, utilizing a collaborative leadership style that translates intention into reality. Dr. Goldberg also has worked extensively with school and college students, student-athletes, parents and coaches in the areas of motivation, leadership and teamwork. (Biography courtesy of www.psychologyofsport.com)

Jaime Fluker - National Collegiate Athletic Association
Jaime Fluker, who joined the NCAA in 2005 as an intern in the governance department, currently serves as the assistant director of diversity and inclusion. Her primary work currently focuses on assisting with the development of strategies to increase the number of people of color in football coaching positions in administering the NCAA Future, Men’s and Expert Football Coaches Academy programs. In addition, Fluker is responsible for overseeing the NCAA Diversity Education program, Division II Coaching Enhancement Grant program, and liaison to the Division II National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Fluker came to the NCAA from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill., where she worked as the Champs/Life Skills and academic advisor graduate assistant. Prior to her experiences in Carbondale, Fluker received her bachelor’s degree from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, double majoring in political science and criminal justice. As a student at Carthage, Fluker was an active member in the athletics department. She was a four-year letter-winner on the women’s track and field team, and received school, conference and national honors in addition to holding school records in the long and triple jump. Fluker participated in other athletic organizations, including both campus and the CCIW SAAC, and her campus Life Skills Advisory Team. Fluker was awarded the CCIW Merle Chapman Leadership Award in 2003 and is also a former member of the Division III National SAAC. (Biography courtesy of Jaime Fluker)

Stan Johnson - Stan Johnson & Associates
President and founder of Stan Johnson & Associates, Mr. Johnson has been a consultant, trainer, program designer and manager for over 25 years. Working with Fortune 500 companies, as well as local and national Nonprofit Organizations for over 20 years, Mr. Johnson has served in various capacities that maintained appropriate communications, training and sensitivity to individuals and organizations regarding issues that relate to career development, diversity, gender and race. Stan began his professional career with the International Harvester Company, where he received six promotions in five years. His last promotion was to Manager of the company’s St. Louis parts operation. Stan joined the staff of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in October of 1988 as Director of Professional Development. In this position, his responsibilities included the development, implementation and administration of programs that enhance opportunities for ethnic minorities and women in intercollegiate athletics, specifically in coaching, athletics administration and officiating at the national, conference and institutional levels. (Biography courtesy of www.sjohnsonassociates.com)

Chris Martin - College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin
Chris Martin became the first full-time commissioner for the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) on July 1, 2002. He is the chief athletics administrative officer for the eight member colleges and universities of the CCIW. He succeeded Merle Chapman, who had served as the conference commissioner since 1997. During his five-year tenure, Martin has implemented a number of positive changes, including three new corporate partners, four additional sports equipment partners, a re-design of the CCIW website and new CCIW marks. In addition, Martin played a major role in implementing a strategic plan for the conference, and also created a proposal to eliminate redshirting at the Division III level. In addition, the CCIW is the only Division III conference office who is a member of the NCAA Champs/Life Skills program. Martin came to the CCIW after working four years with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Martin just completed a four-year term on the NCAA Division III Membership Committee, including the last year as chairman. He is currently a member of the Division III Working Group on Membership Issues and is the vice president of the Division III Commissioners Association. (Biography courtesy of www.cciw.org)

Gary Williams - Carthage College
Gary Williams serves as the Director of First Year Advising and Student Athlete Services at Carthage College. A native of South Milwaukee, Wis., Williams was a four-year letter-winner in football as a wide receiver at Carthage from 1992 to 1995 and graduated in 1996 with a Bachelors degree in chemistry. Williams was an assistant football and track coach at Lawrence University in 1996 before returning to Carthage in 1997. Williams served on the Red Men football coaching staff from 1997-2007. He received his Master’s in education, also at Carthage, in 2002 and in the summer of 2007, began his doctorate studies in Leadership for the Advancement of Learning and Service at Cardinal Stritch University. As Director of Student-Athlete Services, he coordinates student-athlete academic support and advising, along with Carthage’s NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Program and the Carthage Student Athlete Advisory Committee. In 2006, Williams was selected as a representative from Division III to the 12-member NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Advisory Committee. (Biography courtesy of www.carthage.edu)