NEWS AND HOT TOPICS

PLC Leadership Conference Kicks Off the 2008-2009 Year (7/1/2008)

During the weekend of June 20-22, 2008, coaches and athletic directors from 25 cities across the United States and Canada gathered at the University of Notre Dame for the 2008 PLC Leadership Conference.  They were welcomed to campus by one of Notre Dame’s most inspirational men:  Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, motivational speaker and inspiration for the hit movie, “Rudy.”  Rudy challenged those in attendance to dream big and not let anyone stand in the way of making a difference in young people’s lives.  His stirring presentation set the tone for a very inspirational weekend. 

This year’s attendees of the conference were split into two groups, youth sports and high schools, and trained in presenting the PLC programs in their home parishes, dioceses, and schools.  Dr. Clark Power, Kristin Sheehan, and Brooke Record worked together in the presentation of PLC’s signature programs:  Sports as Ministry (SAM), Parent Like a Champion Today™, and the new Play Like a Champion Today™ High School Program.

The Conference also displayed a number of other experienced and influential leaders in sports and ministry from across the country.  These presenters included: 

• Ed Hastings, Director of the Center for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development at Neumann College
• Phil Baniewicz, Vice President, College Relations, Benedictine College
• Matt Kuntz, former ND football player Bill Lewis, former Notre Dame FootballCoach and current Athletic Administrator
• Ray O’Connell, former Head Soccer Coach, Loyola University in Chicago
• Tim Welsh, Head Notre Dame Men’s Swimming Coach                                                                     
• Fr. Brian Daley, S.J., Notre Dame Theology Faculty
• Kevin Barry, Associate Director, Notre Dame’s Kaneb Center for Teaching and Learning
• Dr. John Stavakos, M.S., M.D., South Bend Clinic, Sport Medicine

And Champions for Today speakers:

• Mike McCoy, former ND All American and NFL football legend
• Keith Davis, former USC and NFL football Champion

The weekend culminated on Sunday, June 22 with Mass celebrated by Rev. Tim Scully, CSC, Director of Notre Dame’s Institute for Educational Initiatives, complete with a commissioning ceremony for over fifty new PLC Leaders. 

Next year’s 4th annual PLC Leadership Conference will be held on Notre Dame’s campus June 26-28, 2009. Mark your calendars to join us!

Attention PLC Trainers
If you would like copies of the presentations you heard at the conference, please click here.

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