April 28, 2004

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina University sophomore Natasha Moore has been chosen to represent WCU at the 2004 NCAA Leadership Conference, which will be held May 30 through June 3 at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex and Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

The committee received 1,175 nominations from 295 institutions. From a list of institutions that have met all of the established guidelines and representatives from the Division I, II and III national Student-Athlete Advisory Committees, a total of 324 student-athletes have been selected to participate in this year's Conference.

The student-athletes chosen to attend the Conference were selected by virtue of the strength of their personal statement in demonstrating the desire and capacity to lead, their commitment to service and leadership and the diversity of the participants. Moore, a sophomore on the Catamount soccer team, was chosen over all other applicants at Western. She has been a great leader and example of a true student-athlete both on and off the field and is actively involved in volunteering in the community.

"This is such a wonderful opportunity for Natasha," head soccer coach and assistant athletics director Debbie Hensley said. "We are all very excited for her and she will be a great representative for Western Carolina."

This year marks the eighth annual NCAA Leadership Conference. The Conference developed out of the success of the NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Program. The Leadership Conference was designed under the premise that student-athletes are well positioned to be leaders and the NCAA needs to encourage leadership through interactive and collaborative programs. This year's event is set to challenge its participants and strengthen leadership skills.