Summary of November 2007 LOOF Conference

Conference photo gallery

The shrill sounds of high school buzzers and whistles fill gyms across the state of Kansas. Young men and women athletes pour their heart and soul into each and every game they play. Their athletic skill and leadership is called upon as seconds tick away with the game clock. Many of these young student athletes recently benefited from the Kansas Youth Leadership Academy’s Leadership on & off the field conference.

Topeka ’s Capitol Plaza Conference Hotel was the site for the second Leadership on & off the field conference on November 5-6, 2007. Students attended training sessions and were inspired by speaker Patti Phillips, an advocate for women and girls in sports. Patti is the Director of the Women’s Intersport Network of Kansas City (WIN for KC). In addition, Kendall Gammon, a Kansas native and 15-year veteran of the NFL, spoke to the student athletes. Each speaker addressed the important role and responsibility these young athletes have been given. The call for leadership within their classroom environment and community, in which they live, is a charge they can step up and fill. The skills and tools for their success are within their grasp.

Coaches and school sponsors also attend the conference, observing the sessions or participating in the coaches’ clinic that is facilitated along side of the student conference. A coach had this observation, “I think they are more aware of what it takes to be a leader. They seem more confident in their roles as leaders of our school.”

Student comments about topic sessions:

“The leadership conference taught me to be a good leader on and off the court and that human moral should come ahead of victory in a sport.”

“The leadership conference helped me to become a better leader in the game, in the classroom, and in my community.”

“The conference was a great experience and I learned a lot of things I didn’t know or understand about leadership. I really hope I can go back to the next conference.”

“KYLA was a super place filled with super people who cared about you and making a difference in our world!”“When you face a problem in your classroom or anywhere ‘off the field,’ you can create new ideas to develop ways to solve any problem.”

“It taught me skills that I can use in everyday life.”

“This conference will help me look at everyone’s views not just mine.”

“I will encourage my teammates to give 110% everyday of practice.”

“I will be a better role model and I think that this conference has bettered my character and outlook on things and I can set an example for others.”

"The conference will help me be a better leader on the field because now I know how to talk to my teammates and then it will help.”

“It has made me have better character. I want to be a leader and I want to make a difference.”