August 4, 2015
MARSHALL NEWS MESSENGER (7/22/15) - A Hallsville High School and East Texas Baptist University alumni turned professor is wanting to give back to her community by hosting a first of its kind leadership seminar for area junior high and high school athletes and their parents.
Laci McRee, ETBU's assistant kinesiology professor, is hosting a Marshall leadership seminar for the staff of the Boys and Girls Club of The Big Pines at 4 p.m. on Aug. 4 at the club.
She is also hosting the same seminar for area athletes and their parents in Longview the day before from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Good Shepherd Medical Center's Institute for Healthy Living. The event is free and open to the public.
Dr. McRee said she will be imparting advice to the athletes that she has learned throughout her career so they can one day work or play at a higher level.
Dr. McRee will be joined during the seminar with fellow speakers, ETBU's Graduate Assistant Basketball Coach Amanda Rucker and Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Longview Scott Caron.
"Research has shown that leadership has to be cultivated and developed," Dr. McRee said. "People in sports are viewed as a leader. Part of my job at ETBU is teaching students to become good coaches and leaders and this event will help them actively pursue their development in leadership."
Dr. McRee is expecting about 75 people at the Longview event and she will be working with about 25 staff at the Marshall event.
Dr. McRee said she wanted to open the seminar up to the athletes' parents as well to help broaden the athletes' support base.
"The parents can come and support their athlete," Dr. McRee said. "It's important for the athletes and parents to be starting up those conversations at home and with their parents involved, they're more likely to have a healthy environment to grow."
(Used by permission www.marshallnewsmessenger.com. Story by Bridget Ortigo, MNM Education Reporter)