Program for Athletic Professionals; 8.20.25

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Program for Athletic Professionals

Bridging The Gap: Supporting the Authentic Identity of Your Student-Athletes

 

 

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

 

Student-athletes navigate complex, high-pressure environments where performance, identity, and development constantly intersect. When a disconnect exists between athletic staff and the student-athletes they support, the result is often hindered growth, miscommunication, and weakened team cohesion.

In this interactive workshop, participants will explore what it truly means to "meet student-athletes where they are." Through real-world insights, reflection, and dialogue, attendees will:

  • Identify common sources of misalignment between staff and student-athletes
  • Learn practical strategies to strengthen relationships and build meaningful buy-in
  • Gain insight into how student-athletes think, communicate, and experience support
  • Explore approaches to foster a cohesive and developmentally supportive team culture

Whether you’re a coach, athletic director, trainer, or support staff member, this session offers actionable tools to bridge the gap—and support the whole student-athlete more effectively.

 

Presented by: Michael Willett, CEO of WalkOn Nation

Michael is a former Division I football student-athlete at the University of Central Florida. From being a walk-on, to earning his scholarship, then experiencing a career ending injury, he learned valuable skills and life lessons to shape him into the man that he is today. Since his playing years, Michael went on to create WalkOn Nation with the purpose of redefining athletic identity. Michael's mission is to teach athletes that they are ENHANCED not defined by their status.

 

 

Registration Fee:

$100 per Participant, Member Schools;
$175 per Participant, Non-Member Schools

 

 

 

Registration Form

Please email Rachel Folan, rfolan@njais.org, if you are registering more than 10 participants.

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(Non-Member Schools: Please select "Non-Member School" and complete section below)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
(where we can reach you and for billing questions)​​​

MEMBER INFORMATION: If your school is a member of NJAIS, upon receipt of your registration, we will automatically generate an invoice and send it to your Business Office. Payment is not required at the time of your registration. Your school will have 30 days to pay the invoice.

NON-MEMBER INFORMATION: If you are an employee of an organization or school that is NOT a member of NJAIS and you are registering for this workshop, please provide the company/school address. We will automatically generate an invoice and send it to your Business Office. Payment is not required at the time of your registration. Your school will have 30 days to pay the invoice. Thank you.

Participant Agreement

By engaging with this session, participants expressly acknowledge and respect the intellectual property of the presenters. Participants will not independently record, or knowingly let anyone else record, any portion of this session. Participants will also not share Zoom information or any program resources.

Cancellation Policy:

Registration fees will only be refunded if NJAIS is notified of your cancellation two weeks prior to the program. You may transfer your registration to a colleague in your school at no cost.

Cancelation requests should be sent via email to Rachel Folan, rfolan@njais.org.

 

All registrants have reviewed and will comply with the Participant Agreement and the Cancelation Policy.required