Clements Hosts 2025 NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum

DALLAS – James Madison Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development Cassidy Clements was one of two hosts of the 2025 NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum (SALF). The forum took place from Nov. 19-23 and hosted over 250 learners from across all three divisions of the NCAA.

Organized and hosted by the NCAA leadership development staff, the Student-Athlete Leadership Forum annually provides participants with the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of their core values, develop emotional intelligence, embrace vulnerability, grow their personal network and develop leadership skills. Division I and II conference offices and Division III schools nominate select student-athletes and administrators to attend the forum.

Clements was selected by the NCAA to be the Co-Master of Ceremonies with Vanderbilt's Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development Brandon Floyd. She has a history participating within NCAA leadership development as she participated in the NCAA Effective Facilitation Workshop as part of the 2022 cohort. She then went on to be a co-facilitator for the green team at SALF in 2023, with which former JMU men's soccer student-athlete Rodrigo Robles was also an attendee at.

"Serving as a Master of Ceremonies as the 2025 NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum was an incredible opportunity to represent our athletics department on a national stage," said Clements. "Behind the scenes, our team worked intentionally to shape an environment where every learner felt seen, challenged and supported. Watching the participants engage, grow and find their voice throughout the week reminded me why this work matters. Helping guide their experience wasn't just energizing, it reaffirmed my commitment to creating spaces where student-athletes can lead with confidence and purpose."
This year's program theme, "Adjust Your Sails," aimed to equip student-athletes with leadership skills and empower them to take on greater responsibilities and apply the lessons learned when they are on campus and out in the world.

The NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum, created in 1997, has served as a life-changing experience for more than 5,000 student-athletes who have grown personally and professionally as a result of their attendance. Student-athletes selected to attend the forum return to campus with invaluable leadership skills, a refined understanding of the relationship among personal values, core beliefs and behavioral styles, and the support of a close personal network of like-minded peers to provide continued connection and dialogue after the program concludes.

To learn more about the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum, visit here.

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