King Athletics
Travis Chell, Director of Athletic Communications
BRISTOL – Last month, two King University women’s basketball players attended an Athletes in Action (AIA) Virtual Leadership Academy. Ryleigh Fritz and Ali Golden both attended the virtual academy that lasted for three days.
The student-athletes attended calls for two hours each day for three days in April. In all, 50 athletes participated in the first-ever virtual call as it is the fourth year AIA has hosted its Captains Academy.
“During the leadership academy, I took many great things about being a better leader,” Fritz said. “The key to every team starts with relationships with individuals. Because at the end of the day whether your team wins or loses, but you always have those relationships.”
During the calls, the participants joined many different sessions, including how to be a great teammate, conflict management techniques, case studies in leadership, cohort group breakdowns, communication lessons, and interviews with established leaders in business, sport, and the military.
“I am so thankful I was able to participate in the leadership academy,” Golden said. “There were so many things I learned to help my team this year. The main take away I got from this was learning my teammate’s personnel on and off the court better.”
“Doing this will show them how much I care for them and help me know the proper way to correct and lead them. To be a good leader on the court, you must be a good leader off the court,” continued Golden. “I think showing them how much they truly mean to me will take my leadership to a different level.”
Athletes in Action is an international sports organization that champions faith, character, and victory beyond competition. AIA basketball hosts events, sends teams, and develops total athletes and coaches globally. ‘For the good of the game, the growth of its people, to the glory of God’ is their prime motivation.