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 5, future leaders and legends will get a taste of those Hall of Fame qualities at Cooperstown Central School’s 11th 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 and coaches representing more than 64 school districts around Central New York at the day-long conference, entitled “Motivate From Within: Sportsmanship, Initiative and Determination” and to be held at Cooperstown’s Clark Sports Center and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

“The 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 11th annual Leadership Conference," said Monica Wolfe, LTA Advisor, Section III SAAC Advisor & Conference Director. “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.”

Kayleigh Butler joins the team this year as the Assistant Conference Planner for the Cooperstown CSD Leadership Training for Athletes Program.

“This conference provides an incredible opportunity for motivated and influential student-athletes from Sections II, III, and IV to come together and learn the value of leadership in athletics,” Butler said. “Through my role in planning the conference, I have gained a deeper appreciation for the dedication and passion invested in developing future student-athlete leaders. I witnessed firsthand the meaningful impact a conference like this can have on a student-athlete’s life, future and athletic journey. I chose to take on this role in hopes of helping create that same impactful experience for others. It has truly been an honor to serve as the assistant conference planner. Thank you to Mrs. Wolfe for always going above and beyond. Your dedication and hard work do not go unnoticed.”

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 Guy Waltman, professional speaker & founder of Optimal Retreats; and Dr. Theresa DeLorenzo, founder of Nutrition for Optimal Performance. Additional speakers include Sandy Zimmerman, former Division I basketball player for Gonzaga University and American Ninja Warrior who will be presenting: “From Welfare to Ninja Warrior: 5 Key Ingredients to Achieving Big Dreams and Goals.”

Also on March 5, 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.

Participating high schools include: Adirondack CSD, Andes CSD, Brookfield CSD, Canajoharie CSD, Central Square CSD, Central Valley CSD, Charlotte Valley CSD, Cherry Valley Springfield CSD, Clinton CSD, Cobleskill-Richmondville CSD, Cooperstown CSD, Corcoran HS, Delaware Academy, Duanesburg CSD, East Syracuse-Minoa CSD, Edmeston CSD, Fayetteville-Manlius CSD, Fonda-Fultonville CSD, Fort Plain CSD, Frankfort Schuyler CSD, Galway CSD, General Brown CSD, Hamilton CSD, Hannibal CSD, Henninger HS,  Herkimer CSD, Holland Patent CSD, Homer CSD, Indian River CSD, Institute of Tech @ Syracuse City,  Little Falls CSD, Lowville CSD, Marathon CSD, Mayfield CSD, Middleburgh CSD, Milford CSD, Morrisville Eaton CSD, Mt. Markham CSD, New Hartford CSD, New York Mills CSD, Northville CSD, Nottingham HS, Oneida CSD, Oneonta City SD, OnTech Charter HS, Oppenheim Ephratah CSD, Oriskany CSD, Oxford CSD, PSLA Fowler HS, Remsen CSD, Richfield Springs CSD, Sauquoit Valley CSD, Schoharie CSD, Sharon Springs CSD, Sherburne Earlville CSD, Sidney CSD, Solvay CSD, Utica City SD, Vernon-Verona-Sherrill CSD, Waterville CSD, West Canada Valley CSD, Westmoreland CSD, Whitney Point CSD, Worcester CSD and Representatives from Section II, III and IV.

The program is presented by Gold Sponsors BSN Sports/Varsity Brands-SURGE Program; Nutrition for Optimal Performance; Mrs. Klein’s Pickle Co.; Optimal Performance; Guy Waltman; Morris Tents; Leatherstocking Region FCU; Nimey’s New Generation; NYCM; MTC DJ Service; and NYS AHPERD COA. Conference Sponsors include: Fly Creek Aerial Yoga; Section III Athletics; NYSPHSAA; LEAF; USA Racing; Railroad Inn; NYSGBOA; Mel’s at 22; NY Pizzeria of Cooperstown; Stagecoach; D&G Wellness Consulting; NYS Police; Performance Athletics; Herkimer College; School Mental Health Resource Training Center; Dygert Dairy; Price Chopper; Hamilton Orthopedics, Spine & Sports Medicine; and Stewart’s.

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.