Important Dates
Nominations open: September 21, 2026
Nominations close: October 23, 2026 at 5 p.m. EST
Student-Athlete Leadership Forum Facilitator Training: January 19-23, 2027 in Indianapolis
Facilitators’ Attendance: April 14-19, 2027
April 15-18, 2027
TBD
The NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum includes select coaches and administrators who serve as facilitators to support and enhance the four-day student-athlete program. Facilitators guide small-group discussions, help participants reflect on their leadership styles and experiences, and model strong leadership throughout the program.
Current employees at an NCAA member school, conference office or the NCAA national office.
This event is in-person only. All facilitators must be available to attend both Facilitator Training and the Student-Athlete Leadership Forum for the full duration of each program.
This event is a five-day experience plus three days of training at a separate date.
There is no cost for facilitators to attend. The NCAA covers airfare or mileage, lodging and meals.
Responsibilities of facilitators
Leading small-group (“color team”) discussions.
Supporting personal reflection and leadership development activities.
Modeling positive communication and teamwork.
Helping foster a supportive and inclusive program environment.
Being fully present and engaged in all program sessions.
“The SALF program was a holistic experience that challenged me as an administrator to continue making a daily impact on our student-athletes’ lives. The amount of time and effort you put into this program will directly impact you, and once you complete the journey you will have a life-changing experience you will never forget. My color team group was unlike anything I could have imagined. Over just three days, we laughed, cried and became vulnerable with one another. If you are looking for a challenge and want to enhance yourself and those around you, this is the program for you.”
— Julius Scott, Director of Compliance, Queens University of Charlotte
Eligibility
To be eligible to serve as a facilitator, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Must have participated in the NCAA Effective Facilitation Workshop
- Must be employed at an NCAA member school, conference office or the NCAA national office