Chris Lopez, Wilmington University’s student-athlete academic adviser, and two Wildcat student-athletes gained valuable lessons when they attended the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum in Dallas last fall.
Joining Lopez were two representatives of WilmU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC): softball player Haley Grygo and baseball player Chase Fleming.
The four-day forum brought together 240 student-athletes, coaches and administrators from across the country for an intensive exploration of leadership.
“It was rewarding from start to finish,” Lopez says. “Every session had something you could take away and apply, whether you’re a student-athlete, coach or administrator.”
The theme, “Adjust Your Sails,” centered on learning how to adapt when life takes an unexpected turn.
Attendees explored subjects including self-reflection, empathy and communication. While those ideas resonated with him, Lopez says, “The biggest thing I took away was the people and relationships we built there. Hearing others’ stories and learning from their experiences challenged me to keep growing as a young professional.”
Lopez, who joined WilmU Athletics in November 2024, can relate to the pressure that comes with being a student-athlete. He was a Wildcat relief pitcher from 2014 to 2016 and was part of the first team in school history to win the NCAA Division II East Region and advance to the College World Series.
Lopez is applying the lessons he learned in Dallas by working to expand leadership opportunities through SAAC, team discussions and everyday interactions.
“Encouraging self-reflection, empathy and open communication creates better leaders, teammates and people,” he says. “Those qualities will have a lasting impact on our student-athletes.”
Fleming and Grygo also found the trip to Dallas helpful. Fleming, who pitches and plays first base, says the forum emphasized core values like being a good teammate, striving to achieve team goals and including everyone in that effort.
“It was cool to meet student-athletes from all over the country and talk school and sports with them,” he says.
Grygo, who plays third base, says the forum emphasized that “while change and uncertainty can be difficult, our values can serve as an anchor, helping us navigate challenges with confidence and purpose.”
During the flight home, she says, “I remember reflecting on everything I had learned and feeling excited to bring those lessons back to my team.”
—Bob Yearick
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Chris Lopez, Wilmington University’s student-athlete academic adviser, and two Wildcat student-athletes gained valuable lessons when they attended the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum in Dallas last fall.
Joining Lopez were two representatives of WilmU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC): softball player Haley Grygo and baseball player Chase Fleming.
The four-day forum brought together 240 student-athletes, coaches and administrators from across the country for an intensive exploration of leadership.
“It was rewarding from start to finish,” Lopez says. “Every session had something you could take away and apply, whether you’re a student-athlete, coach or administrator.”
The theme, “Adjust Your Sails,” centered on learning how to adapt when life takes an unexpected turn.
Attendees explored subjects including self-reflection, empathy and communication. While those ideas resonated with him, Lopez says, “The biggest thing I took away was the people and relationships we built there. Hearing others’ stories and learning from their experiences challenged me to keep growing as a young professional.”
Lopez, who joined WilmU Athletics in November 2024, can relate to the pressure that comes with being a student-athlete. He was a Wildcat relief pitcher from 2014 to 2016 and was part of the first team in school history to win the NCAA Division II East Region and advance to the College World Series.
Lopez is applying the lessons he learned in Dallas by working to expand leadership opportunities through SAAC, team discussions and everyday interactions.
“Encouraging self-reflection, empathy and open communication creates better leaders, teammates and people,” he says. “Those qualities will have a lasting impact on our student-athletes.”
Fleming and Grygo also found the trip to Dallas helpful. Fleming, who pitches and plays first base, says the forum emphasized core values like being a good teammate, striving to achieve team goals and including everyone in that effort.
“It was cool to meet student-athletes from all over the country and talk school and sports with them,” he says.
Grygo, who plays third base, says the forum emphasized that “while change and uncertainty can be difficult, our values can serve as an anchor, helping us navigate challenges with confidence and purpose.”
During the flight home, she says, “I remember reflecting on everything I had learned and feeling excited to bring those lessons back to my team.”
—Bob Yearick
Want to read more in-depth stories? Explore our latest magazine articles.
