LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) and Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), have partnered to present the SCAC/ODAC Lead, Grow and Go Student-Athlete Development Initiative, a series of educational opportunities for student athletes from both conferences.
The first of two planned events will be led by Molly Grisham, who will facilitate The QuaranTeam Experience. Grisham is recognized as a courageous and passionate communicator, whose work is rooted in experiential learning and designed to inspire and set people in motion. She is passionate about building teams, developing leaders, creating custom workshops, and utilizing personality assessments for personal and professional development.
"The ODAC is excited to promote Division III unity in our partnership with the SCAC. I look forward to seeing how the regional approach to leadership training will increase the perspectives of our student-athletes, working with fellow Division III athletes from our partner conference,” said ODAC Commissioner Brad Bankston. “I was very impressed with the QuaranTeam Experience led by Molly Grisham. She is a passionate, dynamic leader who will provide an enriching experience for our student-athletes as they embark on a return to competition during the second semester."
The QuaranTeam Experience is designed to address the emotional wellness of student-athletes during a season of isolation. Each of the six sessions allow teammates to connect with each other through experiential learning while exploring specific themes of growth. These themes will enrich personal development, enhance team culture, and ensure student-athletes of the values they bring to their campus and community even during a sport shutdown. The QuaranTeam Experience allows student-athletes to experience lightbulb moments during a time that may otherwise feel very dark.
“We jumped at the chance to partner with the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, one of the most respected Division III conferences in the nation, to offer our student-athletes an opportunity to participate in the QuaranTeam Experience sessions being offered by Molly Grisham,” said SCAC Commissioner Dwayne Hanberry. “Giving our student-athletes a chance to discuss, share and vent over what has been an unprecedented time in their lives, not only with their conference peers, but alongside fellow student-athletes who they may not otherwise have had an opportunity to interact, is a unique opportunity we trust will prove beneficial for all participants.”
The SCAC/ODAC Lead, Grow and Go Student-Athlete Development Initiative – the first event of its kind in conference history – is being funded by the NCAA Division III Strategic Initiatives Grant Program.
"This year has been a challenge for many student-athletes. I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to take the ODAC and SCAC student-athletes through the QuaranTeam Experience,” said Molly Grisham. “I am looking forward to hearing how they put what they learn into action!"
The initiative begins on Tuesday, February 16th for the first of six The QuaranTeam Experience sessions over the course of two weeks. Led by Grisham, programming will continue with two additional sessions on Wednesday and Thursday of that week before returning the following Tuesday-Thursday for three additional sessions to close out the Lead, Grow and Go Student-Athlete Development Initiative.
Part two of the SCAC/ODAC Lead, Grow and Go Student-Athlete Development Initiative will focus on social justice with a targeted roll-out date of late March and/or early April. Both the SCAC and ODAC understand that our student-athletes impact the conversations on our campuses, that their engagements contribute to the culture, and their actions provide context for others. This past year has reinforced the need for more understanding and more growth when it comes to righting the wrongs of societal injustices. It is our mission to provide the tools and educational opportunities to equip our student-athletes to continue to be leaders on campus and facilitate growth.
More details for the second session will be provided as they become available.
Are you a current SCAC/ODAC Student-Athlete and want to participate in the SCAC/ODAC Lead, Grow and Go Student-Athlete Development Initiative, click here.
