Student-Athletes Selected to Participate in the 2011-12 Red Cross/NAIA Collegiate Leadership Program

Feb. 8, 2011

For Immediate Release:
American Red Cross, National Headquarters, 2025 E Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006
NAIA, National Headquarters, 1200 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Eleven NAIA student-athletes have been selected to participate in the 2011-12 Red Cross/NAIA Collegiate Leadership Program. The initiative is now in its fifth year, and will inspire, motivate and create a new and diverse generation of American Red Cross volunteers and leaders through exemplifying the five core values of the NAIA Champions of Character program.

As part of its support of the Red Cross diversity initiatives, State Farm Insurance is sponsoring this partnership. The leadership program kicks off with two weeks of energetic training at the Red Cross National Headquarters located in Washington, D.C. from June 5 to June 18. The incoming class will participate in a rare and unique opportunity to acquire first-hand coaching, mentoring and professional leadership training presented by the Red Cross, one of the nation's largest non-profit organizations. In addition, Lori Thomas, NAIA Senior Vice President for Champions of Character, and Kristin Gillette, Director of Champions of Character, will hold character workshops during the two week leadership academy.

"Athletics plays such an important role in creating a sense of community on college campuses. The partnership with the NAIA has created a rich opportunity to connect campus communities with the life saving mission of the Red Cross through the energy of NAIA student-athletes," said Brian Hamil, Red Cross National Chair Biomedical Services. "As we enter our fifth year of the program, we remain grateful for the continuing financial support of State Farm Insurance."

"We are extremely proud of the relationship we have built with the American Red Cross and State Farm Insurance. Student-athletes selected for this leadership academy have an amazing opportunity to further their skill sets, build lifelong relationships while carrying out a very important mission," said Lori Thomas, NAIA Senior Vice President for Membership and Character Initiatives. "To know that over 50 NAIA student-athletes produced an increase of blood drives on college campuses, an increase of blood collections and brought in more than 2,000 first-time donors is incredible and we could not be more proud."

This once-in-a-lifetime experience allows NAIA student-athletes to be a part of a team made up of young adults from NAIA campuses throughout the country. The program is part of a larger Red Cross diversity strategy for moving the Red Cross from awareness to action, building Red Cross capacity to serve all Americans.

Student-athletes will learn from civic and business leaders how to uncover their leadership potential off the field. The participants will organize successful campus blood drives, actively participate on a leadership board, and take part in diversity and cultural competency training. For their efforts, students will receive scholarship support provided by the Red Cross and State Farm Insurance.

The 2011-12 Red Cross/NAIA Collegiate Leadership Program participants are:
Caitlin Cunningham (Auburn University - Montgomery, Ala., Basketball); Winston Davenport (Azusa Pacific University, Calif., Athletic Training); Rachel Blonski (Carlow University, Pa. / Softball / Greater Alleghenies Blood Region); Hannah Martin (Central Christian College, Kan. / Softball / Central Plains Blood Region); Julie Teeple (Columbia College, Mo. / Volleyball and Basketball / Missouri-Illinois Blood Region); Shannon Griffith (Oklahoma Baptist University / Soccer / Southwest Blood Region); Whitney Sweet (Taylor University, Ind. / Volleyball / Indiana-Ohio Blood Region); Randon McNeil (Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Ohio / Golf / Central Ohio Blood Region); Stephanie Belokon (Judson University, Ill. / Cross Country / Heart of America Blood Region); Cameron Mettenbrink (Hastings College, Neb. / Wrestling / Midwest Blood Region); Jazmine Green (Fisk University, Tenn. / Volleyball / Tennessee Valley Blood Region); Devon Golden (Georgetown College, Ky. / Basketball / River Valley Blood Region); and Lauren Buckles (Ottawa University / Basketball and Track & Field / Central Plains Blood Region).   

To learn more about the Red Cross/NAIA Collegiate Leadership Program, please contact Kathy Busch (NAIA) at kbusch@naia.org or Jennifer Lourie (Red Cross Biomedical Services) at louriej@usa.redcross.org.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work. To learn more visit www.redcross.org.

About the NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, is the governing body for athletics programs at its nearly 300 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. The long-held mission of the NAIA is to promote the education and development of well-rounded students and productive citizens through intercollegiate athletics. The Association offers equitable access and opportunities for participation in its 23 national championship events held annually throughout the country.

Today, the NAIA strengthens its commitment to student-athletes and strives to enrich their college experience by supporting academic achievement and character development. NAIA Champions of Character is the association's innovative flagship program designed to instill character values in student-athletes, coaches and youth in the communities it serves. To learn more visit www.NAIA.org.