NCAA Executive Vice President Bernard Franklin challenged student-athletes at Lincoln (Pennsylvania) to be leaders in life during his keynote speech Sunday at the institution’s athletics awards banquet.

Franklin was formerly president at Virginia Union, a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, which Lincoln will join once its transition to Division II is complete.

“Leaders must know the difference between knowledge and wisdom, have an appreciation of history and heritage, and understand when scholarship ends and where spiritually begins,” Franklin told Lincoln student-athletes. “Knowledge helps you understand the complexities of life, while wisdom helps you appreciate the simplicities and gives you inspiration. During an athletics career, you are going to have mountaintop and valley experiences. The valley experiences teach you the strength of your spiritual life and test your faith."

Franklin spent time on the Lincoln campus in the 1970s while working on his dissertation on student life at HBCUs during the 1920s. Franklin talked about Lincoln alum Joseph Price, who founded Livingstone College, where Franklin eventually served as president.

“When I reflect on my educational development, I realize how much this institution was a part of that,” Franklin said. “This visit for me is special and makes me feel right at home. I commend the institution for the decision to transition to Division II. I believe the tradition of competition and athletics excellence that you will bring to the CIAA is unparalleled, and I can’t wait to see you all (participate in) the CIAA basketball tournament.”

During his speech, Franklin reminded student-athletes of the sacrifices their forebears made for them to have the opportunity to represent Lincoln on and off the field.

“Remember, someone was praying for you to succeed in the classroom and on the field without you knowing it,” Franklin said. “Never forget that you are always standing on the shoulders of someone else. Before there was Venus Williams there was Althea Gibson. Before there was Yolanda Adams, there was Shirley Caesar, and before her there was Mahalia Jackson.”

Franklin closed by reciting a poem called “I Wish for Leaders,” which focuses on character, ethics, perseverance, achievement and helping others.

“The one thing that stood out the most for me is that everything we do is based off of somebody else,” said senior Jordean Matthews, who is the outgoing president of the Lincoln SAAC. “Although I will not be here when we begin competing for NCAA Division II championships, it’s nice to know that I was part of the class of student-athletes that laid the foundation during our transition (from Division III to Division II). It’s great to know that our shoulders are the ones that future Lincoln student-athletes will be standing on when they begin making their mark as an active Division II member.”