By Megan Miller
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Out of nine universities in the America East Conference, the University of Hartford's Mark Barthelemy was selected as the male representative to attend the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum. He will be traveling to Orlando, Fla. on April 11-14 to gain valuable leadership training and experience to bring back to the Hartford athletic community.
The NCAA has a long history of building future leaders. In 2002, The NCAA created the Regional Conferences and in 2010 the conferences were combined to create the NCAA Leadership Forum.
This selection wasn't just indicative of his success on the track. "My Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) advisor, Kelsey, told me about the Leadership Forum and I wanted to get more involved with SAAC outside of the University, so I applied for it over the break with her help," exclaimed Barthelemy. When I found out I was chosen, I really couldn't believe it. I didn't think I was going to hit the criteria and I was overjoyed."
The America East Conference works to "provide member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement, and leadership, on and off the field."
Barthelemy has been chosen based on his performance in the classroom, leadership skills and potential, understanding of the values that the America East Conference represents, and his role as a member of the University of Hartford's SAAC.
"We are so proud of Mark and thrilled that he will have this experience. He will represent our conference and Hartford extremely well in this national setting. We look forward to him applying what he learns to our SAAC community," said Hartford Athletic Director, Mary Ellen Gillespie.
This forum allows student-athletes from various backgrounds to build and develop a network of peers, fulfill community service duties, and grow professionally and personally.
Barthelemy stated "I hope to understand what SAAC is about more on the aspect of impacting our community around us rather than the focus on student-athletes. I'm really excited to see what ideas people come up with to make their communities better so I can bring info back to Hartford to make us better in a different way."
After his arrival on campus, he instantly excelled in academics and has remained on the Dean's List for the five semesters he has attended Hartford. As a mechanical engineering major with a minor in mathematics, Barthelemy has maintained a cumulative grade-point average of 3.31.
Since the beginning of this academic year, he has become an integral role of SAAC sitting on the executive board. In this position, he works to enhance the student-athlete experience with programs and events such as Stress Less Week and America East Food Frenzy, which donated over 1,300 canned goods to those in need.
Additionally, he took on another huge task within the student experience on campus. Starting in August he took on the role as a residential assistant. Barthelemy isn't just focused on fellow athletes on campus, he works with 57 first-year students to guide them in their first year as college students. In his providing of social and academic support, he has influenced more peers than most typical college students. Barthelemy has also been a senator for the National Society of Black Engineers since his arrival on campus in 2016.
All of this hard work and dedication is balanced with athletics. In his role as team captain, he competes in long sprint events such as the 200, 300, 400, and 500 meters. Barthelemy also contributes to his team in relay events.
The University's head track and field coach, Stacie Wentz, was also positively impacted from this experience. Wentz had previously been nominated by her athletic director during her time at Salisbury University. "It was a life changing experience for me that ended up changing my career aspirations and developing life-long friendships," she said.
Wentz and Barthelemy share common visions for the track and field team. "We have both learned a lot from each other and with his help, the program continues to get better," continued Wentz. "He has been a great sounding board for new ideas and brought new ideas to the program. As he continues to take on more responsibilities within the team and on campus, he continues to grow as a person which will help him when he goes out into the professional ranks."
Following college, Mark has high aspirations that relate to his work with the Knights of Columbus and his academic major. "My biggest dream besides becoming a professional engineer is to open a charity to support children and students with mental illnesses, and I will do my best with the experiences from the University of Hartford to make all that happen," stated Barthelemy. "Being a student-athlete has played a major role in life and I cannot thank my fellow teammates and other student-athletes enough for the support that they have provided me."
