FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 20, 2016

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Hunter Given at the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum

GLENVILLE, WV - Glenville State College student-athlete Hunter Given has returned from the 2016 NCAA Student Leadership Forum that was held in Phoenix, Arizona April 7-10. He was selected by the Mountain East Conference (MEC) to represent GSC and the conference at the event. Given is a member of the Pioneer Men’s Basketball team and a senior marketing and sport management student.

The Leadership Forum brings together a diverse and dynamic group of student-athletes, coaches, faculty, and administrators from all across the country at one event. Student-athletes selected to attend can return to their campuses with additional leadership skills, the experience of exploring the relationship between personal values, core beliefs, and behavioral styles, and a thorough understanding of the NCAA as a whole, the different divisional perspectives, and the valuable role of Student-Athlete Advisory Committees (SAAC). There is no cost to the participants, institutions, or conference offices for attending the event.

In addition to his responsibilities on the court and in the classroom, Given also represents GSC Athletics as the Vice President of the campus SAAC, has been honored by the GSC Department of Business at their Annual Business Recognition Event for the last two years, and has earned academic honor roll recognition several times during his college career.

Topics covered at the forum mainly focused on evolving leadership skills for the student-athletes and other attendees. Guest speakers at the forum covered topics ranging from life after sports to what not to do on social media and making yourself a brand. Given said the students also completed a community service project for local children, making around 2,000 jump ropes, lunch boxes, gym bags, and laundry bags.

“I made several connections with various people at the event and I made friendships that will last a lifetime. It was neat to hear all the different stories from the others because we were all from different parts of the country,” Given said.

Before the end of the spring semester he plans on presenting about his trip at the MEC conference SAAC meeting.

Given (second from left, back row) with other members of the 'Green Squad' at the Forum

“They separated the student-athletes into several different color groups and I was a part of the Green Squad. My favorite thing was hanging out with the other members of my ‘squad.’ Everyone bonded and we created friendships that will last forever. It was awesome getting to represent the MEC and GSC. I met the others that were also representing the MEC and they enjoyed the forum as well,” Given said.

“There was a quote that stuck with me that I plan on sharing, ‘you don’t get what you deserve; you get what you go after.’ To me, it just shows that you need to take action and go get what you want in life,” he concluded.

Given, a Cowen, West Virginia native, graduated from Webster County High School in 2013 and is the son of Samuel and the late Teri Given.