DALLAS - Three Illinois Wesleyan University student-athletes were given the opportunity to attend the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum in Dallas, Texas, Nov. 20-23. Senior men's lacrosse midfielder Andres Morales-Gomez (Round Lake Beach, Ill.-Grayslake North), senior softball pitcher Caroline Gatchell (Grayslake, Ill.-Carmel Catholic) and sophomore men's volleyball setter Cael Whitchurch (Lemont, Ill.-Lemont) traveled to Texas to learn valuable leadership skills to apply to their respective sports and across Illinois Wesleyan. 

The NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum is a four-day program designed to help student-athletes grow as leaders on their teams and campuses. Participants learn about their personal values, leadership styles and the role they play in creating a positive student-athlete experience. Morales-Gomez, Gatchell, and Whitchurch were nominated by Illinois Wesleyan administrators to attend the forum.

Morales-Gomez is a defender/midfielder on the men's lacrosse team and is double majoring in finance and entrepreneurship. He also offers his talents as a student worker in the athletic communications office. Morales-Gomez learned valuable skills that can be useful not only in his final season of lacrosse this spring, but in his future career.

"As a student-athlete, there is so much that goes on every day, but attending an event like S.A.L.F. gave me a chance to sit and reflect on some of my experiences and build on them as I have one season left," Morales-Gomez said. "S.A.L.F. gave me the insight to lead more effectively and lead with intention. I am incredibly grateful that I was nominated, and I would definitely recommend someone to go if they have a chance."

Whitchurch is a sophomore setter on the men's volleyball team and is very active in Illinois Wesleyan's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He is also a double major in marketing and graphic design and used the opportunity to attend the forum to meet and network with people, peers and administrators alike, from across the country. 

"It was such an amazing experience to be a part of, and I am so grateful to be selected," Whitchurch reflected. "Being surrounded by student-athletes, coaches, and administrators from across all divisions and the entire country gave me different ways to look at specific situations, opportunities to gain knowledge, and explore new ways to grow as a leader. It was also great to listen to insightful speakers and participate in a meaningful community service project. Within my team, I met so many amazing people and had the best team leaders. I'm excited to apply what I've learned throughout the rest of my athletic career at IWU and in my everyday life." 

Gatchell, a senior on the softball team, is extremely involved at IWU. She holds various leadership positions in her sorority, is the co-president of SAAC, and works in the athletic communications office. Despite her previous leadership experience, Gatchell was able to expand her skills further at the leadership forum. 

"Attending the NCAA Student Athlete Leadership Forum taught me that leaders come in all shapes and sizes. Every person can make an impact in not only those within their sport, but all those around them in their everyday lives," Gatchell said. "We spent the weekend in small and big group discussions learning about our strengths, core values, communication styles, emotional intelligence, and so much more. It was such a rewarding weekend, and I truly feel that I will become a better leader because of all that I had the privilege of learning."

Morales-Gomez, Whitchurch, and Gatchell will use the skills they learned during the leadership forum in their respective competitive seasons later this winter and spring.