On Day Three of the Prep Leadership Program students sank their teeth further into the meat of the program and learned that being a student athlete at the collegiate level provides great opportunity, but also comes with great responsibilities and expectations. The NFL and Wharton assembled an elite panel of speakers and current student athletes who emphasized that being successful at the highest level requires discipline, focus and a resolution to constantly strive and prepare for the “next play,” no matter the number of victories or defeats on your scorecard.
The below is a snapshot of some of the day’s key takeaways:
Gatorade – Sports Science Institute, John Eric Smith (Senior Sports Scientist):
Perform at your best through proper hydration. Avoid supplements, especially if you are under 18 and your body is still developing. Also be wary of any “safe” over-the-counter supplements, there have been numerous instances of powders and pills being laced or infused “dirty” with steroids, which if you’re being tested – can lead to ineligibility. Reach your physical goals through good eating and sleeping habits.
NCAA Gambling & Compliance, Derrick Crawford (VP of Enforcement):
NCAA – do not participate in any sports wagering whatsoever, it’s not worth the risk. If there is a prize involved, anything of value exchanged then it is illegal...period. Simply put, you need to remove gambling from your vocabulary, it will kill your career and your relationship with your academic institution. “You could lose $100k+ in scholarships (depending on your situation) so the possibility of winning $100 is not even close to worth the risk vs. the reward.” Also avoid having relationships with any bookies at your school or in the neighborhood, the public and the NCAA are very unforgiving if any negative events occur. Derrick also elaborated on the nuances and processing of opting in (varies, depending on your sport). Check online at www.NCAA.org for info on compliance, processes, eligibility, opting in and other rules and guidelines. Email Derrick Crawford at drawford@ncaa.org for any further questions.
Student Athlete Panel: The Life of a Student Athlete
- Daily Routine: Get into your routine and stick to it, life and being successful at the collegiate level is all about balance. If you’re on time you’re late, and if you’re early you’re on time. You’re eating on the run and often at the same time you’re studying. “When I pull all-nighters and have practice in the morning my eyes may be tired, but we’re there to perform…and so I just try to go hard anyway. In school and in the Game.” – Daniel Dingle, Temple Men’s Basketball
- Transitioning into College: Freshman year is a struggle initially, but you can do well once you find focus and embrace that you’re at college to produce, and that it’s going to take work.
There will be time to be social later, and so you have to find the will power and discipline to push distractions out. “For the first time in your life you’re on your own and have freedom, so you have to make sure you’re sticking to the details and on-time for all of your commitments and blocking out time to study.” Laura Sweeney – Villanova Women’s Basketball
- Handling the Pressure & Study Habits: Everyone deals with pressure differently, you have to plan ahead and if you want to be great you can’t do every paper at the last minute. Time management and great sleeping habits are key (NFL TOTAL WELLNESS). Make study guides, find time to study alone and stay focused. Study selfishly and not with your friends. Use office hours to answer any questions you have.
- Significant Others: If you are in a relationship, make sure they know your priorities are college and athletics first.
How to Negotiate in Life and Business, Ken Shropshire, Wharton Sports Business Initiative:
Be yourself, know your style, your strengths and your weaknesses. The best way to learn how to negotiate is not by reading about it in a book (although that helps) but by practicing it and actively doing it, ideally litter no zero-risk situations. Professor Shrophshire highlighted a few essential tips for negotiating successfully:
- Sometimes you should make the initial offer; this can put you in the power position more often than not. However, it depends on the situation.
- Come to the negotiation with a goal, a target and a bottom line.
- Don’t be afraid to walk away, sometimes the best deal is the one you didn’t do.
- The #1 train of all effective negotiators is a willingness to engage in systematic planning and preparation.
- Negotiators with high expectations do better.
- A reputation for reliability and integrity is highly prized by effective negotiators.
Effective Negotiators also exhibit: Listening Skills, Knowledge of Subject Matter, Verbal Skills and Self-Confidence.
Use of Social Media/Perception, Duane Mull, NFL Media Group (Social Media Manager):
“Social media is an incredible tool and platform to get your message heard. I encourage you to take a course on it if it’s available to you…however; often the best way to learn is by doing. When I started doing this (social media) years ago, there were no classes available and I had to learn by trial and error. Now, I am distinguished as largely overseeing the NFL’s Social Media presence on our official Twitter, Facebook and Instragram accounts.”
“Practice daily by sending messages or thoughts out to your friends. See what gets tractions, and always remember to send only positive messages out and do not Tweet or post to Facebook if you are emotional. Once the message is out there you cannot take it back.” Duane also shared ideas and ways that the NFL has excelled at engaging fans and expanding their platform and the Game.
Below is a snapshot of some of Duane’s prized fan engagements:
Sample re-Tweets and Fan Engagement from the Official NFL Twitter Account:
The Importance of Networking, Terrie Williams, PR Guru and Author of “The Personal Touch”
To close the program, the NFL and Wharton brought in perhaps their biggest gun (with the softest touch). Terrie Williams, who has been overseeing PR for the some of the top entertainers in NYC for over 2 decades spoke candidly and intimately with NFL Prep students about the value of networking and making a connection with whomever you’re with.
Terrie emphasized the following tips for being a great networker: Learn and remember first names, the small touches are everything – genuine thank you notes, showing concern and sympathetic gestures mean the world to people; when you’re speaking with someone, be present and give them your undivided attention. You never know who’s who and where your next lift up in life may come from. Ms. Williams closed her session with a moving piece on the value of accepting your vulnerability even as a tremendous leader and athlete and using Mental Health Resources to work through your emotions positively. A standing ovation soon followed.
The day concluded with a speech from Austin Moss, NFL Prep coordinator from the League Office and Derrick Heggans, executive at the Wharton Sports Business Initiative who thanked students for making the commitment to themselves to becoming great leaders. The 2013 Wharton Prep Leadership Class was also reminded to stay in touch with the NFL and Wharton and to use one another and both institutions to push themselves into greatness.
Attendees went around the room and spoke of their favorite parts of the program – with many surprised at the strength of the bonds and lessons one can gather in just 3 short days in Philadelphia.