University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Paige Love Attends NACWAA Women's Leadership Symposium
05.26.2015 | Women's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Building yourself for future endeavors is an important part of the student-athlete experience. Rising senior Skyler "Paige" Love of the women's basketball team had an opportunity to capitalize on that recently, attending the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators' (NACWAA) Women's Leadership Symposium in Baltimore.
Centered on the theme of Empowering Women in Athletics, Love enjoyed the opportunity to network and take advice from various influential female figures in athletics. “Overall, I had so much fun and learned so much that I left feeling inspired and ready to do big things!” stated Love.
Great day!!! Had so much fun empowering women 💁🏼 #WLS15 pic.twitter.com/l6FlPaSbT1
— Paige Love (@skyluhhh30) May 21, 2015
“Paige understands the concept of developing the total person. Growth as a student-athlete is more than running sprints and shooting 300 shots a day in the summer," said Head Women's Basketball Coach Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick about her senior guard. "While those things are a requirement, it is equally vital to take time to work on your mental game and as a captain, your leadership skills. It is an honor for her to be selected to represent the Big South Conference, at the NCAA/NACWAA Leadership Symposium and we can't wait to learn from her when she returns.”
SETTING THE STAGE
Selected amongst applicants from all across the country, Love was granted the opportunity to make contact with and receive valuable information from multiple women who are already successful figures in athletics to help grow herself as a leader, an individual, a player and a teammate.
Before leaving for the three day event, Love talked about the honor of being selected to attend the event. “I am very honored to be able to attend this conference. It is a great opportunity to represent UNC Asheville and the Big South Conference.” Love continued, “It is also a great opportunity to promote the recruitment and retention of women working in intercollegiate athletics. Attending the WLS will help me gain insight into professionalism as well as aid in the transition [later] from player to coach.”
I decided to attend #WLS15 because I thought it would be a great opportunity to empower women and make new connections! 💃🏻
— Paige Love (@skyluhhh30) May 21, 2015
BALTIMORE
There were many key phrases that Paige used to describe her experience throughout the event. Words like inspired, motivated, improved, challenged, network, and values, among others, lined Love's summation of the event.
Favorite session was Creating a Values Based Career. Behaviors should reflect your values, your personal values are your anchor ⚓️ #WLS15
— Paige Love (@skyluhhh30) May 21, 2015
Love was joined at the event by fellow Big South student-athlete, Radford guard Aisha Foy, and the two had an opportunity to bond as roommates. Paige spoke about the two being paired as roommates, “It was nice that she and I were able to come together, bond, and help each other grow at the symposium, despite us wearing dfferent jersey colors during the season.”
We wear different jerseys, but we both support each other to reach our dreams! Keep being awesome @DivineHooperDST 😎 pic.twitter.com/rkhZ5bPBzL
— Paige Love (@skyluhhh30) May 22, 2015
Being able to bring some of the things she learned at the conference back to her own team is a priority for Paige. In a team full of varying personalities, she understands that to have success you have to know your teammates strengths and weaknesses to maximize the potential of the group. Love plans to bring parts of the personality strength session back to her team this upcoming year.
Personality test is coming soon to @AshevilleWBB! We can build better relationships and understand each other once we know their color 😁
— Paige Love (@skyluhhh30) May 22, 2015
Never one to turn down a challenge, Paige also had the opportunity to compete at the event, winning the twitter challenge.
Twitter game strong, won the social media challenge at #WLS15 #GoDogs #CantStopWontStop #SorryNotSorry #NACWAAtshirtgameonfleek 😁
— Paige Love (@skyluhhh30) May 22, 2015
The overall experience for Love was "awesome." From goal setting, to personality identification, to personal brand management, Paige was able to learn from multiple “very inspiring women who are already so successful in athletics.” Her message to other young women athletes is that the Women's Leadership Symposium is an event that females aspiring to work in athletics is a must attend event.
