Ed Snider Youth Hockey & Education hosted the 3rd annual Fit to Lead: Student-Athlete Leadership Conference to bring student-athletes and sports leaders together to address contemporary issues that impact role models on and off the playing field. On April 11, 2024, over 200 high school and college student-athletes, coaches and educators from across Southeastern PA attended a free day of learning and inspiration. Special guest speakers shared inspirational messages, stories of overcoming adversity, and utilizing the power of positive influence.
The day began with a keynote speech by Noah Galloway, a Purple Heart awarded double amputee, who shared his inspiring journey of resilience and determination. Noah offered invaluable insights on overcoming obstacles and embracing life’s challenges.
After the morning keynote, students divided into two groups for the morning breakout sessions. Kat Judge, Life Skills Coordinator at Snider, led the students in an activity designed to ignite students’ leadership potential and drive meaningful change. Meanwhile, the “Educator’s Educator” Tyrik Jackson offered powerful strategies to navigate life’s distractions and stay focused on realizing your dreams with clarity and determination.
The afternoon keynote session was delivered by former Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets General Manager Billy King. The former college basketball player and assistant coach unpacked the essential elements of successful teamwork, offering actionable advice and inspiring anecdotes to cultivate a culture of collaboration, trust, and achievement within a team.
The student-athletes then broke into groups for the second breakout sessions of the day. NBC Sports Philadelphia sports anchor Amy Fadool highlighted her transformative journey of resilience, empowerment, and diversity, illustrating the profound impact of overcoming adversity, embracing strengths, and fostering inclusivity. Across the conference, Jeanne Craft, accomplished performance psychologist, shared insights on maximizing your strengths for personal growth and success.
Overall, the Fit to Lead Conference was a massive success, providing student-athletes with valuable insights and inspiration from industry leaders, as well as a chance to connect with their peers and build their networks. We are grateful to our speakers, panelists, and everyone else who made this conference possible. We look forward to continuing to offer this conference in the future and helping to shape the next generation of leaders in the sports industry and beyond.
View the recap video below:
