Crusade Softball Player to Participate in Red Cross/NAIA Collegiate Leadership Program
Hattiesburg, MS, January 20, 2010 - Sophomore elementary education major Larke Nightengale of the William Carey University softball team was chosen as one of thirteen athletes to participate in the 2010-2011 Red Cross/National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA) Collegiate Leadership Program. The initiative is now in its forth year, and will inspire, motivate and create a new and diverse generation of American Red Cross volunteers and leaders through exemplifying the five core values of the NAIA Champions of Character program.
“Larke is a natural leader with a servant’s heart and tremendous character,” said Wendy Hogue softball head coach. “She is one of the hardest working players I’ve ever had the pleasure of coaching, both on and off the field.”
Nightengale is a member of the 2009 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) Championship team, currently ranked fifth in the nation by the NAIA. WCU ended the season with a 42-7 record. Nightengale ended the season with a .286 batting average with seven doubles, two triples, three homeruns, twenty-six RBI’s, and eleven stolen bases. She is a graduate of Poplarville High School.
The leadership program kicks off with two weeks of energetic training at the Red Cross National Headquarters located in Washington, D.C. from June 7 to June 18, 2010. The incoming class will participate in a rare and unique opportunity to acquire first-hand coaching, mentoring and professional leadership training presented by senior leaders of one of the nation’s largest non-profit organizations. In addition, Dr. Rob Haworth, NAIA Vice President for Champions of Character, will conduct character workshops during the two week leadership academy.
This once-in-a-lifetime experience allows NAIA student-athletes to be a part of a team made up of young adults from NAIA campuses throughout the country. Student-athletes will learn from civic and business leaders how to uncover their leadership potential off the field. The participants will organize successful campus blood drives, actively participate on a leadership board, and take part in diversity and cultural competency training. For their efforts, students will receive scholarship support provided by the Red Cross and State Farm Insurance.
“Larke exemplifies everything that William Carey University stands for, and the NAIA as well,” said Hogue. “Larke is a true Champion of Character and will be as much an asset to the Red Cross/NAIA Leadership Program as it is to her.”
Sophomore elementary education major Larke Nightengale of the William Carey University softball team was chosen as one of thirteen athletes to participate in the 2010-2011 Red Cross/National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA) Collegiate Leadership Program. The initiative is now in its forth year, and will inspire, motivate and create a new and diverse generation of American Red Cross volunteers and leaders through exemplifying the five core values of the NAIA Champions of Character program.