In the ongoing effort to inform student-athletes that they have a strong voice in the NCAA governance structure, Division I held its first regional leadership conference October 22-24 in Atlanta.

The conference is part of the regional network of meetings in all three divisions modeled after the annual national leadership conference in May that usually draws about 350 to 400 students from all divisions. The goal with the regional conferences is to enhance student-athlete leadership skills to create positive change on campuses or in conference offices.

The regional approach gives student-athletes the opportunity to interact on a more personal level with their peers from the same area of the country. Teams of student-athletes, coaches and administrators from each school are charged with developing a plan to create change at the local level. Divisions II and III already have held several regional sessions.

The Division I Regional Leadership Conference offered sessions on the legislative process, how it affects student-athletes and how student-athletes can be more involved.

Participants represented institutions from the Atlantic Sun, Ohio Valley, Southeastern, Southern and Southwestern Athletic Conferences.

"It was a valuable effort,'' said Greg Sankey, an associate commissioner of the SEC. "The NCAA always looks to interact with the membership and student-athletes in a new and different way. It would appear that this type of conference is a viable way to achieve that goal. There is not a lot of opportunity for student-athletes to discuss the background of rules that they may not like or understand, except at the campus student-athlete advisory committee meetings. The regional conference is a different format to allow some exchange on those issues.''

The format of the conference began with the basics of leadership. Breakout sessions on the second day gave student-athletes a chance to learn more about the composition of the NCAA. Student-athletes learned about the structure of the legislative process and how they can play a role in decisions. It could have been overwhelming, but the message was well-received.

"There are some student-athletes who are just there for the sport, and there are others who are there to do more things to improve their schools,'' said John Baldwin, a golfer from Belmont University. "A lot of people there wanted to make a difference. I really enjoyed just meeting and getting to know people from different places. I thought it was very successful as far as helping us to see who we are, what our goals are and trying to get us to take that back to make a difference.''

The importance of student-athlete advisory committees was emphasized at the conference level, too. Questions were answered as to how a SAAC works and how the structure can work at a campus, conference and national level.

Baldwin said he was appointed to Belmont's SAAC by his golf coach, Carroll Clark, and that it changed his view of his role on campus.

"Ever since I've been on it, I've had more of a vision to make student-athletes more than what people perceive us to be,'' Baldwin said. "We're here to become better people and do the most with our time. Certainly not every school has a strong SAAC. I got pretty lucky because ours is pretty good. Everyone comes to the meetings. It's not a problem getting people to come. Everybody wants to help and do what they can to make it a successful organization.''

Valencia Jordan, an associate athletics director and senior woman administrator at Tennessee State University, said from the first session of the conference, she felt she could expect an empowering three days.

Jordan has operated as the advisor to the SAAC on her campus. After attending the regional conference, it re-emphasized the importance of having the committees.

"To start with a program like this, it is important that our student-athletes are aware of the educational components of the NCAA and keeping abreast of the legislation,'' Jordan said. "They aren't just here to compete. They understand that there are a lot of factors that go into this whole competition thing. Since I've been in administration, I have the opportunity to view more of the written legislation and see how some to the changes have affected the future of student-athletes. I wanted to know for myself instead of just saying, 'This is a decision that was made.' I want to know how it was made and who took part in it."

Student-athletes also discussed current NCAA legislation and offered feedback.

Leadership conference schedule

• Division III Student-Athlete Regional Leadership Conference -- January 21-23, 2005 (Indianapolis).

• Division II Student-Athlete Regional Leadership Conference -- February 18-20, 2005 (Dallas).

• NCAA Leadership Conference -- May 29-June 2, 2005 (Orlando, Florida).

• Division II Student-Athlete Regional Leadership Conference -- September 2005 (Mid-Atlantic region; specific dates and site TBA).

• Division III Student-Athlete Regional Leadership Conference -- September 30-October 2, 2005 (site TBA).

• Division I Student-Athlete Regional Leadership Conference -- October 2005 (Midwest region; specific dates and site TBA).