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MEDIA ADVISORY: Novak Leadership Institute to host Special Olympics of Missouri Athlete Leadership Program

March 4th, 2018

Story Contact: Cailin Riley, 573-882-4870, rileyci@umsystem.edu

WHAT: The Novak Leadership Institute at the University of Missouri will host the Special Olympics of Missouri Athlete Leadership Program this weekend. Special Olympics of Missouri is a service partner with the Novak Leadership Institute. Located at the Missouri School of Journalism, the institute is rooted in the principles of strategic communication and offers programs that emphasize the role of research, strategy, creativity and collaboration for effective leadership.

The Athlete Leadership Program provides training for athletes who wish to expand their role in Special Olympics of Missouri. The training is hosted every semester by a college or university within Missouri. Athletes, their mentors and their family members will stay in Excellence Hall for two nights and attend special classes at the Missouri School of Journalism. MU students from the Novak Leadership Institute will be volunteering with all aspects of the weekend to assist the athletes as they participate in the program.

Program classes will start on Friday, March 2, and end Sunday, March 4, with the athletes walking through the Columns to symbolize their graduation from the program.

WHO: Participants will include MU students from the Novak Leadership Institute and athletes and staff from Special Olympics of Missouri. Members of the media are welcome to attend.

WHEN & WHERE:
3 p.m. Friday, March 2, to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 4
Various locations on the MU campus

Highlighted events include:

  • Intro to Athlete Leadership Programs, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, March 2, Palmer Room, Reynolds Journalism Institute
  • Graduate Recognition and Speeches, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 4, Fisher Auditorium (Gannett Hall) and the Columns

A full list of events, locations and times can be found here.

NOTE: Reporters interested in speaking with Athlete Leadership Program coordinators are encouraged to contact Brandon Schatsiek, multimedia and athlete leadership manager for Special Olympics of Missouri, at (573) 821-4646. Brandon Butcher, associate director of the Novak Leadership Institute, can be reached at (636) 887-5440.

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