Big South to Host First-Ever Freshmen Basketball Academy for its Student-Athletes
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (www.BigSouthSports.com) -- The Big South Conference will host its first-ever Big South Freshmen Basketball Academy for its freshmen basketball student-athletes the weekend of Sept. 10-11 in Charlotte, N.C. The goal of the event is to help acclimate the league’s first-year college students to Division I basketball and will feature guest speakers along with workshops on mental health, interactions with law enforcement, financial literacy and media training, among other programming.
More than 60 men’s and women’s basketball freshmen representing all 10 Big South member institutions will attend. The event is sponsored by Big South Corporate Partner First Citizens Bank and was created by Senior Associate Commissioner James Holland.
“Having the opportunity to coordinate and be a part of the first Big South Basketball Academy for our incoming freshmen is a tremendous honor,” stated Holland. “The transition from high school to college can be very challenging both mentally and physically. Our goal as a Conference Office is to provide training and information that will assist our young men and women get off to a great start at their respective college campuses. The Big South Conference is committed to preparing our student-athletes to be the best that they can possibly be, both on and off the court.”
Confirmed speakers include Big South Commissioner Kyle Kallander, NBA Vice President of Basketball Operations Garth Glissman, as well as representatives from First Citizens Bank and the North Carolina Highway Patrol. Additional sessions will focus on the Big South’s $2 million investment to support and enhance its basketball programs, as well as opportunities to interact with other student-athletes from around the conference on a non-competitive level while sharing similar experiences as first-year college students.
“The launch of the Big South Basketball Academy reflects the Conference’s highest priority: supporting our student-athletes,” added Kallander. “It is our goal through this important initiative that participating student-athletes will get a head start in adjusting to college life, receive important skills training that will assist them in navigating the world of a Division I student-athlete, and inform them of the Big South’s commitment to winning on the court, in the classroom, in the community, and in life. We are also so grateful for First Citizen Bank’s generous support of the Big South Basketball Academy.”
“The demands of a college environment -- handling time management, workloads and finances for example -- can be particularly challenging for freshmen,” said Andy Shene, Charlotte Metro Area Executive for First Citizens Bank. “At First Citizens, we understand how important it is to have a solid game plan when it comes to the transitions in life. That’s why we’re partnering with the Big South to launch this academy and help provide student-athletes with proactive strategies for success in school and beyond.”
The Big South Conference is celebrating its 39th year in 2022-23, and has been based in Charlotte, N.C., since 1997. The league will host its marquee basketball championship tournament in the Queen City at Bojangles Coliseum for the second consecutive year in March 2023, and last season both Big South championship games were televised on a national linear network for the first time in conference history.