TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State University Director of Athletics Sherard Clinkscales announced today the list of participants for the inaugural Sycamore Leadership Academy presented by GEICO for Indiana State student-athletes in 2018-19.
 
The Sycamore Leadership Academy presented by GEICO is designed to develop beneficial leadership and life skills for Sycamore student-athletes, better preparing them for life after college. The Sycamore Leadership Academy is made possible by the generous support from GEICO and is developed by Brooke Porter, the student-athlete success coach at Indiana State, and was also made possible by the efforts of Gregory Halls, a development officer within the Sycamore Athletic Fund.
 
Not only is GEICO making a financial contribution to help support the Sycamore Leadership Academy, but administrators from the nationally-renowned insurance company will be involved in teaching, guiding and mentoring the Indiana State student-athletes.

"We are beyond proud of the opportunity to get in front of student athletes at Indiana State University," Heather Hodkinson of GEICO said. "Partnering with the Sycamore Leadership Academy and having the chance to influence and inspire future leaders is a humbling experience. GEICO will be sharing targeted professional experiences of what made our leaders successful from entry level positions all the way through becoming a Director for our company.  We understand  the trials of being a student athlete and how it can translate into a successful drive in the work place.  We are here to enforce that philosophy."

Those selected to participate in the Sycamore Leadership Academy, presented by GEICO include:

Football: 
Jackson Byrne
Titus McCoy
Lonnie Walker
Mekhi Ware
Kurtis Wilderman
 
Men's Basketball:
Cam Bacote
Emondre Rickman 
 
Baseball:
Joe Boyle
Danny Colon 
Jake Means
Tyler Ward
 
Men's Track & Field/Cross Country:
Ben Payton
Quentin Pierce
Nicholas Yeend 
 
Cheer/Dance: 
Sarah Ewigleben
Nicholas Scott
Kressa Sweeney
 
Softball:
Rebecca Gibbs
Kristen Kelly
Peyton Ottersbach
 
Soccer:
Kathryn Besserman
Jordan Denton
Caitlyn Eddy
Katie Sidloski
Hannah Sullivan
 
Swimming & Diving:
Joelle Borchers
Allison Engstrom
Mykenzie Kostka 
Elisabeth Peskin 
 
Volleyball:
Chloe Carenza
Damadj Johnson
Cassie Kawa
Rhiannon Morozoff
Alex Toombs
 
Women's Basketball:
Ashli O'Neal
Tierra Webb
 
Women's Track & Field/Cross Country:
Emma Hayward
Colleen Madden
Michaela Ward
Alli Workman

The leadership program designed to educate and prepare Indiana State student-athletes for life after college (and college athletics) will include resume and interview preparation, etiquette dinners, professional/workplace etiquette, finding a mentor, mentor relationship advice, goal-setting, social media training and a student-athlete career fair.
 
Additionally, female student-athletes will benefit from a Women in the Workplace event while all student-athletes will hear from keynote speaker Jarrod Barnes, founder and lead talent developer of PrimeU, as he speaks on values-based leadership training and innovative learning solutions.
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Athletics, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the Trees on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.