UM Student-Athletes Selected for Game Changing Retreat
Atlanta, GA – Today, The Winning Edge Leadership Academy announced the names of 15 current and former student- athletes selected to participate in the first Game Changing Retreat in Miami, Fla. set for June 21-24, the four-day professional development experience aims to position attendees for success as they begin their journeys in sports business.
“It was not easy to select the first cohort for our inaugural Game Changing Retreat, but I believe we hit the mark with this diverse collective of student-athletes who not only want to develop professionally, but also have a desire to give back to their schools and the industry,” said Corinne Milien, retreat host and Executive Director of The Winning Edge Leadership. “Along with our retreat mentors, we look forward to working with them in advance of the retreat to ensure their experience is one that will prepare them to become successful sports business professionals.”
The inaugural cohort features student-athletes attending schools from eight states, three athletes from Historically Black Colleges & Universities, seven athletes who are currently in or have completed graduate school, and four athletes who are currently working as young professionals in the industry. All 15 cohort members have demonstrated success on and off the field of play.
Selected from a pool of more than 50 applicants, here is the 2018 Game Changing Retreat Cohort:
Women:
Hope Baxter, North Carolina Central University, Cheerleading
Carolyn Brown, University of Miami, Track & Field
Nelly Casas, University of Illinois, Swimming & Diving
Ariana Freeman, University of Colorado, Basketball
Adila Gathers, Niagara University, Basketball
Jasmine Stauffacher-Gray, UCLA, Track & Field
Danielle Savage, University of Miami, Soccer
Haley Woodard, Oklahoma State University, Soccer
Men:
Justin Jackson, Nova Southeastern, Track & Field
Reggie Jennings, Southeast Missouri State University, Football
Gerald Robinson Jr., Louisville University, Football
Kenneth Towns, University of Georgia, Football
Jarren Williams, University of Miami, Football
Jacques Wells, Columbus State, Basketball
James Whitaker, NC A&T/Georgetown, Basketball
You can read all cohort bios by visiting: www.winningedgeleadership.org/2018cohort
Retreat Details
Hosted at the designated ‘retreat classroom’ in Miami, this intensive, multi-day experience will feature networking dinners with top sports executives and topical group discussions led by sports industry professionals serving as retreat mentors. The 2018 mentors include: Will Baggett (College Football Playoff), Dell Robinson (Spelman Johnson), Dr. Julie Shaw (Women’s Sports Foundation), Maria Taylor (ESPN), and Lynda Tealer (University of Florida Athletics Association).
For additional details about WE Game-Changing Retreat, read bios of the 2018 cohort and mentors, get involved, or to sponsor scholarship, visit www.winningedgeleadership.org/retreat or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @TheWELeadership.
About The Winning Edge Leadership Academy
The Winning Edge Leadership Academy created in 2015 by co-founders Corinne Milien and Maria Taylor, develops the next generation of women and minority leaders by providing industry professional mentors, a network of influence, and financial and cognitive resources, as they begin their journey in the sports industry. We bridge the gap of experience and opportunity for underrepresented groups to increase diversity at the decision-making level in the sports business. We also provide viable job candidates for organizations in sports.
