March 29, 1999

Fanta Cooper, a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee soccer player, has been selected to participate in the third annual NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference to be held May 31-June 4, 1999, at Disney's Wide World of Sports and Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. This is the first time a UWM student-athlete has been chosen to participate in this prestigious Conference.

The mission of the NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference is, through challenging and thought-provoking dialogue and activities, to prepare a diverse group of student-athletes to take an active leadership role on their campuses and in their communities. It will provide NCAA student-athletes with the opportunity to discuss and explore critical issues facing them; to enhance their leadership skills; and to promote better communication among student-athletes, coaches, administrators, faculty and communities.

A total of 300 student-athletes have been invited to attend the 1999 NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference. Student-athletes were nominated from NCAA member institutions that participate in the CHAMPS/Life Skills Program. Also, members of the national Student-Athlete Advisory Committees were invited to attend because of their roles as the student-athlete voice within the Association.

Cooper, a sophomore defender from Oklahoma City, Okla., was named to this season's NSCAA Great Lakes Regional first team, Soccerbuzz All-Great Lakes Region first team and All-Midwestern Collegiate Conference first team. Off the field, Cooper is actively involved in the athletics department student leadership group, serving as the representative from women's soccer on the UWM Student-Athlete Advisory Board.

"We're obviously delighted that Fanta has been selected to represent UWM at this conference," said Deanna D'Abbraccio, assistant athletics director and senior women's administrator. "Student-athletes will represent 237 NCAA athletics programs at this year's conference and we are pleased to be a part of this program. There are important issues with student-athletes to be discussed.

"Fanta has excellent leadership qualities and will definitely contribute to the conference. As a member of our Student-Athlete Advisory Board, Fanta will be able to bring back ideas and issues for all of the UWM student-athletes. It's going to be a great experience for her."

Participants will engage in a variety of developmental activities designed to enhance their communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills. As a result of participation, student-athletes will build a long lasting network of future leaders, be better able to address issues that are critical to student-athletes on campus and complete a self-directed project to address a critical issue facing the campus.

Participating female and male student-athletes will represent all NCAA divisions, 20 different sports, and 11 countries.

For more information about the NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference or the CHAMPS/Life Skills Program, check the NCAA website at, www.ncaa.org, or contact NCAA public information coordinator Kimberly Dickson at 913/339-1906.