The 2009 Emerging Leaders Seminar (ELS), formerly known as the Conference Intern Seminar, is underway at the NCAA national office.

This year, the 2008-09 NCAA interns are hosting 87 graduate assistants, interns, students and new professionals interested in working in intercollegiate athletics. Participants will attend several informational sessions, panels and networking socials.

ELS speakers include numerous athletics directors and other influential athletics administrators, including: Georgia’s Damon Evans; Ohio State’s Gene Smith; Notre Dame’s Jack Swarbrick and Purdue’s Morgan Burke.

“Our goal in preparation for the seminar was to create an interactive forum for young professionals to network and develop professionally,” said Paul Perrier, an intern in the NCAA’s Eligibility Center who serves as ELS chair.

“To foster this learning environment we made a concerted effort to invite highly respected members of the athletics community to share their thoughts and advice to help our participants identify and make the next step towards their career goals.”

The event began Thursday, and will conclude Saturday afternoon. For more information, click here for the official ELS Web site.