CALGARY – An innovative new program will begin this weekend at the University of Calgary, with 26 student-athletes set to take part in the inaugural class of Dinos LEAD.

The LEAD program (Leadership Education in Athlete Development), developed thanks to a donation from Doug and Lois Mitchell and the Legacy Sports Fund, consists of three full-day workshops designed to enhance the leadership skills of student-athletes. The first of these workshops will take place on Saturday, April 5, with the remaining dates scheduled in September and December.

The program's intent is to develop leadership skills within student-athletes to make them impactful leaders on their teams and within their communities after graduation, and the curriculum is designed specifically for the elite sport environment, which is unlike any other on a university campus.

"We are thrilled to launch Dinos LEAD," said Ron Wuotila, director of athletics. "This program has been in the works for more than two years and, thanks to the support of Doug and Lois Mitchell, can now begin to impact a select group of Dinos student-athletes each year.

"The program will provide benefits on the field of play, in the classroom, and within our corporate community as these young women and men move on to life after graduation. I wish to thank all of those who have contributed to the development of this program, including our coaches, who have helped shape the curriculum for the first class of fortunate Dinos."

The curriculum, developed with the participation of Dinos varsity coaches, the Canadian Sport Institute, alumni, corporate leaders, and the University of Calgary's Leadership and Student Engagement office, will focus on three competencies: integrity, confrontation techniques, and communication.

The group of 26 student-athletes includes representatives from 12 different Dinos varsity sports as well as one Canadian Sport Institute athlete. Each was nominated by their head coach and completed an application and interview process to be selected for participation.

Among the participants is Dinos quarterback Andrew Buckley. Already an established leader, Buckley was the recipient of the prestigious Russ Jackson Award in CIS football last fall for his athletic, academic, and community service accomplishments.

"I'm very happy and fortunate to be chosen for this program," said Buckley, a third-year kinesiology student and Academic All-Canadian. "I think it's a great opportunity to get involved with a community of like-minded athletes and to learn more about skills and practices surrounding leadership. Already there is a lot of excitement from the athletes I have spoken to because the potential leadership outcomes are so applicable to our respective teams' success."

2014 Dinos LEAD Program Participants
Jessica Britton, field hockey
Andrew Buckley, football
Alex Cook, men's volleyball
Emma Cook-Clarke, track and field
Tristan Cote, swimming
Chris Dalen, swimming
Jacob DeSerres, men's hockey
Brianna Ghali, women's basketball
Hilary Goble, wrestling
Jessica Groeneveld, Canadian Sport Institute
Amy Hockings, women's soccer
Connor Hodgins, wrestling
Allison Kendall, track and field
Kevin King, men's hockey
Mike Klukas, football
Kelsie Lang, women's hockey
Matt Letkeman, men's basketball
Janna Ogle, women's volleyball
Tianna Rissling, swimming
Max Ross, men's hockey
Mac Sarro, football
Alana Skocdopole, cross country / swimming
Brianna Solberg, women's volleyball
Bronwyn Stevens, women's hockey
Aimee Wilson, women's basketball
Stephanie Zvonkovic, women's hockey

-UC-