Indiana University Athletics
Leadership and Life Skills
The Spirit of Indiana calls us to be unselfish leaders and teammates. The Excellence Academy teaches our students how to put that call into action and to learn the skills necessary to enjoy independent, productive and successful lives as leaders in their communities. It starts with an individual personality assessment as part of each student gaining a detailed sense of who they are and how they best interact with others. They learn and embrace the tenets of the Spirit of Indiana: 24 Sports, One Team. Through a distinct required core curriculum, as well as various rich elective opportunities, students have access to varied leadership programming and opportunities.
Leadership Series
The Excellence Academy Leadership Series exists to provide students the opportunity to develop personally and as leaders within their teams and the department. Each program meets for a series of weeks and is held both fall and spring semesters
• Emerging Leaders: Focusing on personal identity.
• Evolving Leaders: Discoviering connections between skills and roles and leadership.
• Servant Leaders: Developing the concept of leading through service to others
• Elite Leaders: Elevating personal skills to lead individuals and teams to improve performance, communication and culture
Student Groups
Groups led by athletes, for athletes. Each offers unique leadership experiences for participating athletes, in addition to offering platforms in which student-athletes can discuss relevant issues.
• SAAC (The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee): is a group of student-athletes interested in serving as a voice for all student-athletes. By promoting communication between administration and student-athletes, SAAC is able to provide feedback and insight into department issues. This group is led by an executive board and has representatives from each of IU’s 24 sports. The group participates in community service, encourages the motto of 24 Sports, 1 Team, and builds a sense of community within athletics.
• Hoosier CORE: Hoosier CORE is a group of student-athletes focused on making a difference on campus and in the athletics department. Focusing on drug and alcohol awareness, sexual assault prevention, bystander intervention training, and enhancing the culture of IU Athletics. Hoosier CORE has helped to create policy, programs and partnerships to make a meaningful impact.
• All IN: A student-athlete led group that focuses on creating a safe environment for student-athletes to engage in discussions about the struggles and triumphs of life. The goal is to encourage IU athletes to support each other and voice their experiences.
• HER: A group for female minorities that focused on leadership and personal development as well as creating a better experience for minority females.
• M.O.V.E. (Men of Valor Excelling): It is a group for male minorities to speak about trials and triumphs during their time at IU. They focus on leadership, personal branding, and advocating for minorities.
• IUDM Team 24: An IU Dance Marathon team comprised of student-athletes with the goal of raising money for Riley Hospital for Children and participating in the marathon.
• Everybody Plays Committee: This student-athlete committee is charged with the organizing and implementing the sports-themed events for athletes with intellectual and physical disabilities, creating a chance for them to interact and learn from current IU student-athletes.
• Hoosiers Out Loud - this group is for LGBTQ+ identifying students creating open space and engagement opportunities within the department and campus.
• Global Hoosiers – this student group is for all international student athletes giving and opportunity for fellowship and cultural celebration.
Transition Programs
Hoosier HEROES
• Each freshman is assigned a HERO, or a mentor, who provides support, encouragement, and information; serves as an all-around resource in any area of life; answers questions; shares stories; and acts as a role model. Mentors receive ongoing training in order to ensure each underclassman is properly supported.
Freshman Excellence Sessions
• This exclusive program is for all freshman student-athletes, meant to help assist in the transition from high school to college and become immersed into Indiana University culture. Through monthly sessions, freshmen begin building their toolbox, understanding what is expected of them, and what it means to be a Hoosier.
Life After Sport
• Programs vary annually but support the transition out of college and athletics. Topics cover how to manage money, eat, work out, and create a new community outside of athletics.
Celebrations
A Night To Shine
• Each year, the Excellence Academy honors IU athletes by hosting A Night To Shine. A Night To Shine is a special evening designed to celebrate the efforts and achievements of the previous athletics seasons.
Graduation Celebration
• At the end of each semester the athletic department hosts a graduation celebration for student-athletes, their family, and friends.
Program of Excellence
• The Program of Excellence Challenge awards points for individual and team participation in the Excellence Academy. Teams that demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence in Service, Leadership, Education, and Sportsmanship are honored through this competition.
Contact
Email Lisa Winters for opportunities and interest: lfranz@indiana.edu
Leadership Series
The Excellence Academy Leadership Series exists to provide students the opportunity to develop personally and as leaders within their teams and the department. Each program meets for a series of weeks and is held both fall and spring semesters
• Emerging Leaders: Focusing on personal identity.
• Evolving Leaders: Discoviering connections between skills and roles and leadership.
• Servant Leaders: Developing the concept of leading through service to others
• Elite Leaders: Elevating personal skills to lead individuals and teams to improve performance, communication and culture
Student Groups
Groups led by athletes, for athletes. Each offers unique leadership experiences for participating athletes, in addition to offering platforms in which student-athletes can discuss relevant issues.
• SAAC (The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee): is a group of student-athletes interested in serving as a voice for all student-athletes. By promoting communication between administration and student-athletes, SAAC is able to provide feedback and insight into department issues. This group is led by an executive board and has representatives from each of IU’s 24 sports. The group participates in community service, encourages the motto of 24 Sports, 1 Team, and builds a sense of community within athletics.
• Hoosier CORE: Hoosier CORE is a group of student-athletes focused on making a difference on campus and in the athletics department. Focusing on drug and alcohol awareness, sexual assault prevention, bystander intervention training, and enhancing the culture of IU Athletics. Hoosier CORE has helped to create policy, programs and partnerships to make a meaningful impact.
• All IN: A student-athlete led group that focuses on creating a safe environment for student-athletes to engage in discussions about the struggles and triumphs of life. The goal is to encourage IU athletes to support each other and voice their experiences.
• HER: A group for female minorities that focused on leadership and personal development as well as creating a better experience for minority females.
• M.O.V.E. (Men of Valor Excelling): It is a group for male minorities to speak about trials and triumphs during their time at IU. They focus on leadership, personal branding, and advocating for minorities.
• IUDM Team 24: An IU Dance Marathon team comprised of student-athletes with the goal of raising money for Riley Hospital for Children and participating in the marathon.
• Everybody Plays Committee: This student-athlete committee is charged with the organizing and implementing the sports-themed events for athletes with intellectual and physical disabilities, creating a chance for them to interact and learn from current IU student-athletes.
• Hoosiers Out Loud - this group is for LGBTQ+ identifying students creating open space and engagement opportunities within the department and campus.
• Global Hoosiers – this student group is for all international student athletes giving and opportunity for fellowship and cultural celebration.
Transition Programs
Hoosier HEROES
• Each freshman is assigned a HERO, or a mentor, who provides support, encouragement, and information; serves as an all-around resource in any area of life; answers questions; shares stories; and acts as a role model. Mentors receive ongoing training in order to ensure each underclassman is properly supported.
Freshman Excellence Sessions
• This exclusive program is for all freshman student-athletes, meant to help assist in the transition from high school to college and become immersed into Indiana University culture. Through monthly sessions, freshmen begin building their toolbox, understanding what is expected of them, and what it means to be a Hoosier.
Life After Sport
• Programs vary annually but support the transition out of college and athletics. Topics cover how to manage money, eat, work out, and create a new community outside of athletics.
Celebrations
A Night To Shine
• Each year, the Excellence Academy honors IU athletes by hosting A Night To Shine. A Night To Shine is a special evening designed to celebrate the efforts and achievements of the previous athletics seasons.
Graduation Celebration
• At the end of each semester the athletic department hosts a graduation celebration for student-athletes, their family, and friends.
Program of Excellence
• The Program of Excellence Challenge awards points for individual and team participation in the Excellence Academy. Teams that demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence in Service, Leadership, Education, and Sportsmanship are honored through this competition.
Contact
Email Lisa Winters for opportunities and interest: lfranz@indiana.edu