(Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Athletic Department announced today that two of their student-athletes will attend the 2010 NCAA Division II Leadership Academy from February 19-21. The conference will take place at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront in Portland, Ore. and is funded by the NCAA.
 
The Golden Eagles who are attending the academy are women's soccer player Jensen Crots and football player Cecil Brown. Crots is a freshman from Chesterton, Ind. She is a defender on the soccer field and is majoring in health sciences (pre-physical therapy). Crots is the daughter of Darrell and Cindy Crots. Brown is a freshman from Edison, Ga. He is a defensive back on the field and is undeclared on a major at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. Brown is the son of Cecil Brown, Sr. and Betty Brown.

By attending the conference, NCAA student-athletes,coaches and administrators will enhance their leadership skills and formulate a strategy to positively affect their campus, conference and communities in the future. Attendees participate in numerous educational sessions which impact the development and growth of student-athletes on campus or within their conference. Sessions offered at the conference will allow participants a greater understanding of the NCAA, the Division II governance and legislation process, and the Division II National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Other issues like; sportsmanship, diversity, nutrition, mental health, game environment will allow participants to explore how to play an active role, as an agent of change, in reference to these critical topics. Using the knowledge gained at the conference, participants will set out to create positive and lasting change throughout the NCAA structure, their communities and the world.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

Photos: (Top) Jensen Crots (Bottom) Cecil Brown

The University of Minnesota, Crookston is a NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).