Cooperstown Central School Hosting Leadership Training Program for Area High School Athletes

(COOPERSTOWN, NY) – To get to the Hall of Fame, the game’s greatest legends all benefited from strong leadership.

On March 6, future leaders and legends will get a taste of those Hall of Fame qualities at Cooperstown Central School’s 10th Annual Student-Athlete Leadership Conference.

The Cooperstown Central School Leadership Training for Athletes Program will welcome approximately 400 student-athletes along with their athletic directors representing more than 60 school districts around Central New York at the day-long conference, entitled “Respect: It Goes Both Ways” and to be held at Cooperstown’s Clark Sports Center and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

“Cooperstown CSD Leadership Training for Athletes Program and Section III Student Athlete Advisory Committee members are excited to be partnering with the Clark Sports Center and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum to host our 10th annual Leadership Conference," said Monica Wolfe, LTA Advisor, Section III SAAC Advisory & Conference Planner. “The leadership conference exists to foster a positive atmosphere and serve as a platform for student-athletes to recognize how leadership application in athletics affects their daily lives. In turn, that creates a ripple effect to be applied through the student-athlete’s life and shared with their teams/teammates, their schools and their community.”

Also on March 6, athletic directors and teachers from the participating schools will take part in professional development seminars at the Hall of Fame, experiencing the Museum’s award-winning curriculum.

The program, sponsored by Central New York businesses and targeted for high school juniors, will feature several workshops as well as speakers, including keynote speaker Aaron Hart, vice president of program engagement, Varsity Brands, presenting: “YOU ARE POWERFUL. Now, go and use your power for good.” Additional speakers include Chris Herren, former NBA player with the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics, ESPN “30 for 30” speaker and founder of Herren Project presenting "Prevention Starts With All: The Chris Herren Story.”

Participating high schools include: Altmar Parish Williamstown CSD, Berne-Knox-Westlo CSD, Canajoharie CSD, Central Valley CSD, Charlotte Valley, Chenango Valley CSD, Cherry Valley Springfield CSD, Clinton CSD, Cobleskill-Richmondville CSD, Cooperstown CSD, Corcoran HS, Delaware Academy, DeRuyter CSD, Duanesburg CSD, Edmeston CSD, East Syracuse-Minoa CSD, Fonda-Fultonville CSD, Fort Plain CSD, Frankfort Schuyler CSD, Galway CSD, General Brown CSD, Greene CSD, Hamilton CSD, Hannibal CSD, Henninger HS,  Herkimer CSD, Holland Patent CSD, Indian River CSD, Institute of Tech @ Syracuse City,  Marathon CSD, Mayfield CSD, Middleburgh CSD, Milford CSD, Morris CSD, Morrisville-Eaton CSD, Mt. Markham CSD, New Hartford CSD, Northville CSD, Nottingham HS, Oneonta City SD, Oneida CSD, OnTech Charter HS, Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville CSD, Oriskany CSD, Owen D. Young CSD, Phoenix CSD, PSLA Fowler HS, Pulaski CSD, Richfield Springs CSD, Sauquoit Valley CSD, Schoharie CSD, Sharon Springs CSD, Sherburne-Earlville CSD, Union Springs CSD, Vernon-Verona-Sherrill CSD, Watertown CSD, Waterville CSD, West Canada Valley CSD, Whitney Point CSD, Worcester CSD and Representatives from Section II, III and IV.

The program is hosted by CCS Leadership Training for Athletes and sponsored by Clark Sports Center, Section III and IV Athletics, NYS AHPERD COA, NYSPHSAA, Shattuck Foundation, Section II-Western Athletic Conference, LEAF, Section III-Center State Conference, Section III- TriValley League, Chobani, Nimey’s New Generation, Bank of Cooperstown, USA Racing, Railroad Inn, CCS Booster Club, NY Pizzeria of Cooperstown, Stagecoach, D&G Wellness Consulting, Leatherstocking Region FCU, Prime Movement & Performance, Erika’s Lighthouse, Nutrition for Optimal Performance, School Mental Health Resource Training Center, NYS Troopers, Price Chopper, Stewart’s and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

For more information on the Museum’s leadership programs and funding available to bring student groups to the Hall of Fame, please contact the Hall of Fame’s Education Department at baseballhall.org/learn.