Athletic Leadership Institute (ALI)
The Athletic Leadership Institute (ALI) was formed in 2004, under the guidance of SEU Athletics Director Duane Aagaard. At its core, ALI is designed to help develop student athletes into prosperous leaders on and off the field.
ALI is also a student led initiative. SEU student athletes help organize and maintain the integrity of the institute by overseeing the discipleship process and managing ALI's five committees.
Entering the 2011-2012 school year, Knox Strawbridge (men's soccer) and Chelsey Lynn (women's tennis) will be leading the everyday operations of the institute. Both Strawbridge and Lynn, have been instrumental in the growth of the institute, and have served on various committees in recent years.
ALI's five committees are; Leadership Development, Spiritual Development, Christian Service, Social Events, and Life Skills.
ALI COMMITTEES
1. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENTMission Statement: The Leadership Development Committee provides student athletes the opportunity to develop their leadership skills in preparation for the real world. The committee seeks to instill character and integrity in the lives of the athletes.
Vision: We believe leaders should be willing to sacrifice and pick up their cross daily. Obedience to God should also be the center of our life, and more important than the opinions of man. We encourage leaders to submit to the authority placed over them, while setting an example on and off the field for others.
Events: Organize ALI meetings, provide leadership resources, and attend leadership retreat.
2. SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENTMission Statement: The Spiritual Development Committee exists to protect the spirituality of the athletic department, and to not stray from the Godly character Southeastern University stands for. As a committee, we will be intentional and consistent in fostering the spiritual growth of student-athletes on and off the field.
Vison: Our vision is to hold Jesus Christ as the center-piece of our daily lives. The Spiritual Development Committee focuses on always being accessible to coaches, captains, and student athletes as a resource for devotions, accountability, discipleship, and prayer. Our desire is to maintain an athletic department that places priority on spiritual growth through athletic chapels, worship services, and prayer meetings.
Events: Athletic Chapel, prayer meetings, weekly devotions, and spiritual retreats.
3. CHRISTIAN SERVICEMission Statement: The Christian Service Committee exists to create opportunities where student athletes can serve their local communities, demonstrating Christ-like servant leadership.
Vision: We believe Christian Service Projects teach servant leadership, where the student athlete learns to place God first, others second, while serving and becoming third. This is where true discipleship takes place, while our greater community also benefits from this service. We believe the SEU Athletics Department must be a beacon within the local community.
Events: The ALI has participated in Christian Service projects which includes; Homeless outreach, hurricane relief, Give Kids the World, InsideOut Youth Adventures, Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Florida Baptist Children's Home, Lighthouse Ministries, the First Tee of Lakeland, and numerous events with Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
4. SOCIAL EVENTSMission Statement: The Social Events Committee is designed to foster community among student athletes, by providing a variety of events in which relationships can be created in order to build a unified body of student athletes.
Vision: The Social Events Committee is designed to create a family atmosphere within the athletics department, rather than a department full of individual teams.
Events: Some examples of social events are 70's Skate Night, Monster Mash, Jock Jams, our annual Christmas Party, Lake House Boating and BBQ, and Finals Study Break at Coffee Shop.
5. LIFE SKILLSMission Statement: The Life Skills Committee focuses on character development, personal finances, major selection and sport psychology. The committee provides life skills training through seminars and meetings, with a hands-on approach which prepares the student athlete for life after college.
Vision: “The future belongs to those who are prepared.”
Events: Seminars include; Athlete & Identity, Personal Finances, NCCAA Game Plan For Life, NAIA Champions of Character, Resume Building and Interviewing Skills. Retreats include; Women's retreat in Sarasota, Fla. Men's Wild at Heart Weekend.
