University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Bulldog Student-Athletes attend Big South Leadership Conference
07.18.2025 | Baseball, Cross Country, General, Track and Field, Women's Volleyball, Women's Basketball, Athletics News
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – This past weekend, five Bulldog student-athletes represented UNC Asheville at the Big South Leadership Conference held in Black Mountain.
The Big South Leadership Conference is an annual event that the conference has hosted for nearly two decades. Nearly 50 student-athletes attend the conference to invest and grow in leadership roles.
The Bulldogs in attendance were Trinity Fields (women's basketball), DaMarr Harvey (track and field), Avery Loeback (volleyball), Jaheem O'Hara (cross country/track and field), and Garrett Crum (baseball).
Each individual shared what the experience was like for them:
Trinity Fields: I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to attend the Big South Leadership Conference. Honestly, I was nervous at first, but I'm so glad I pushed through and went because it ended up being one of the most meaningful experiences I've had.
One of the best parts was connecting with other student athletes beyond their sports. It was eye-opening and inspiring to get to know people for who they truly are, not just their positions or stats. This weekend pushed all of us out of our comfort zones and challenged us in ways we wouldn't have chosen for ourselves, and that's exactly what made it so powerful.
A major theme of the weekend was vulnerability, and I was really moved by how we were encouraged to lean into it. We learned that vulnerability isn't a weakness; in fact, it's one of the most accurate measures of courage. Being placed in unfamiliar and sometimes uncomfortable situations gave me the chance to live that out in real time.
Speakers like Timothy Alexander (TA) and Sterling had a huge impact on me in such a short amount of time. One quote that really stuck with me was: "I don't need it to be easy, I just need it to be possible." That line hit home not just for my athletic journey, but for life in general.
What I loved most is that this conference wasn't just for people with titles like "captain" or "CEO." It was for anyone who wants to be a leader and create positive change right where they are. And while we dove into deep and powerful topics, we also had so much fun by doing karaoke competitions, skits to reflect what we learned, line dancing, midnight basketball, and kickball in the gym. Some of those moments ended up being my absolute favorites and something I won't forget!
Thank you to UNC Asheville and the Big South Conference for creating this unforgettable experience and helping us grow not just as athletes, but as people and leaders.
DaMarr Harvey: The Big South Leadership Conference was very impactful for me. It has definitely been the highlight of my summer so far—I almost didn't want to leave.
This year's theme, Legacy in Motion, really resonated with me as I prepare to graduate and compete in my final season this winter. I've been fortunate to excel as an athlete at Asheville and in the Big South, but more than anything, I want to leave a lasting impact as a leader. My goal is to make sure my team has the tools to continue succeeding even after I'm gone.
One of the best parts of the weekend was having so much fun—from games and karaoke to skits and zip lining—with my peers across the conference. But more importantly, I really valued the chance to collaborate with and learn from other athletes. Hearing different perspectives was powerful and reminded me just how much we can all grow by learning from each other.
The speakers, especially Timothy Alexander and Sterling Brown, were also a huge highlight. They shared so many gems that I'll carry with me. What stuck with me most was the idea that whatever we do in life, it doesn't have to be easy—it just has to be possible. That mindset is something I'll continue to lean on as I move forward in athletics and beyond.
I want to sincerely thank Stephen Dolan, Commissioner Montgomery, and everyone who helped. It was a wonderful opportunity to grow as a leader, and I'm truly grateful for the experience.
Avery Loeback: It was truly an amazing experience to attend the leadership conference this year. I learned so much about leadership through our wonderful speakers, who are leaders in life, and my fellow student-athletes who attended. We talked a lot about connecting with others and how much that brings a team together,
I am coming away from this experience as a better leader and person and am excited to bring some of the things I have learned to my team this season.
Jaheem O'Hara: I'm glad I attended the Big South Leadership Conference because I was able to meet with different teams and schools where I didn't know anybody, but going through some of the exercises and games it has showed me that you can get pretty close with people you've never met just within 48 hours and I was able to make many strong connections with other student athletes.
Garrett Crum: It was my first time attending this event, and Sterling and TA did such a great job at allowing you to find a way to get yourself out of your comfort zone when doing the activities they set up. I loved a lot of the messages they had shared, and the one message that stuck out to me the most was the practice of gratitude. I feel like it opened my eyes to the things I'm most grateful for as a student athlete, and being able to show that gratitude is a really good skill I'm trying to learn from this event, especially since I want to work on my leadership skills. Had a great time meeting the other student athletes and being able to hear the different experiences from people who play different sports in different areas it was a great experience all around!
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