Sophomore student-athlete one of 13 in nation to attend leadership program
Carlie Ainsworth, a sophomore guard for the AUM women’s basketball team, is one of 13 student-athletes accepted nationally into the 2009-10 American Red Cross - NAIA Youth Leadership Program.
“When I applied, I didn’t expect to get it,” said Ainsworth. “There are several people here who are great students and great athletes. It’s very humbling.”
“Carlie represents everything that is right about being a student-athlete,” said Dan Davis, AUM women’s head basketball coach. “She has demonstrated courage and determination and has shown a lot of heart in her two years at AUM. She is very deserving of this award and will represent the AUM community very well.”
Ainsworth, a Montgomery native and graduate of Alabama Christian Academy, will make her first trip to Washington, D.C., for a two-week training session at the American Red Cross National Headquarters in June.
“I want to be a physical therapist, and this is a really good opportunity for me to meet people that can help me in my future,” said Ainsworth.
Ainsworth will have the opportunity to learn from civic and business leaders, including: senior leadership at Red Cross; Jim Carr, NAIA president and CEO; and Rob Haworth, NAIA vice president for Champions of Character.
“The ARC/NAIA will provide Carlie with an incredible experience to learn strategies that expand awareness to action,” said Steve Crotz, AUM athletic director. “I believe part of our mission in athletics is to help develop the leadership potential in our students.”
Along with touring the Red Cross headquarters and the opportunity to see where blood is sent once it is donated, the program also teaches the student-athletes how to carry out a strategic plan in order to host a successful blood drive. When Ainsworth returns to Montgomery, she’s expected to use this information to organize a campus blood drive.
“Carlie will have the opportunity to return to our campus and impact not only our students, but the community at large. I am extremely proud of her selection to this prestigious leadership training program,” said Crotz.
Ainsworth said she is most excited about the opportunity this will give her to meet new people, experience a different culture and travel to a new place. She has read several blogs to find out more about the training, which has increased her excitement about the program.
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March 12, 2009 |
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