April 27, 2006

GREELEY, Colo. - University of Northern Colorado women's track and field sprinter Jamila Young was selected by the NCAA as one of 352 student-athletes to attend the 2006 NCAA Leadership Conference May 28-June 1 at Disney's Yacht Beach Club Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The event will have student-athletes discuss key issues in intercollegiate athletics and enhance their leadership skills.

"I'm honored and excited to have selected by the NCAA to attend the conference," Young said. "I will represent Northern Colorado with the utmost dignity and pride. I look forward to collaborating with other student-athletes from around the nation, and I'm also excited to share what I learned at the conference with my fellow Northern Colorado student-athletes."

Young, who hails from Colorado Springs, Colo., and attended Lewis-Palmer High School, is a sophomore business major. She holds six total career top three finishes in the 4x400-meter relay, 400-meter dash and 4x100-meter relay.

The annual NCAA Leadership Conference provides NCAA student-athletes with a forum to openly discuss issues that may affect them on their campuses and in their communities, while also providing them with the opportunity to enhance their leadership, communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills. The NCAA Leadership Conference also promotes better communication among student-athletes, coaches, administrators, faculty and communities. The five-day leadership conference consists of daily exercises and activities to help the student-athletes develop as individuals and as contributing members to a group.

"I'm excited about the selection of Jamila for the conference," said Scott Swain, Northern Colorado CHAMPS/Life Skills Coordinator. "She is one of our most well-rounded student-athletes at Northern Colorado. Her leadership in SAAC and community service projects is exceptional. I know Jamila will represent Northern Colorado Athletics very well in Florida."