The Mountaineer Student-Athlete Leadership Program (MSALP) will change the way athlete development is viewed. With an emphasis on development of life and leadership skills both on and off the court, the MSALP prepares each Mountaineer to become Future Ready.
This year the MSALP provided two seperate series for the student-athletes. The Speaker Series focused on having our student-athletes engage with prominent figures in sport and life including successful Mountaineer Alumni. The Education Series focused on equipping student-athletes with tools that assist in navigating important societal issues.
Below is the entire MSALP lineup brought to our students during the 2020-2021 academic year.
2020-2021 MSALP Speaker Series
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Geoff Allen
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- Niagara Firefighter
- Associate Baseball Coach, Brock Badgers
- Baseball Sport Lead, 2022 Canada Summer Games
- Director of Players and Coach Development, Greater Niagara Baseball Association
- Hamilton Native
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Rachel Balkovec
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- Hitting Coach, New York Yankees
- First woman to hold a full-time position as a hitting in coach in the MLB
- Previously held multiple strength and conditioning roles in the MiLB
- Graduate and Student-Athlete, University of New Mexico
- Master's Degree from LSU and also attended Creighton University and Vrije University (Netherlands)
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Manny Campbell
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- Mountaineer Hall of Fame Member
- CCAA National Champion, 2012
- OCAA Gold Medalist, 2012
- CCAA All-Canadian, 2013
- Mohawk College Athlete of the Year, 2012-2013
- Mohawk College Graduate and Alumnae
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Carey Leigh-Thomas
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- Canadian Junior Women's Softball National Team, 2011
- Canadian Senior Women's National Team, 2012-2017
- Gold Medalist, 2008 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG)
- First Indigenous Woman named to the Women's National Softball Program
- Ohsweken, Ontario native
- Graduate and Student-Athlete, Syracuse University
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Mihai Raducanu
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- Founder & President, No Limit Performance Basketball Inc.
- Professor at Canisius College, Sports Administration and Sport Product Development
- Student-Athlete Leadership Program Advisor, Mountaineer Athletics
- Graduate and Student-Athlete, Coastal Carolina University
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Chris Spack
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- Fitness Coach, ProActive Training and Nutrition
- Owner, Your In Home Chef/Training
- Mohawk College Graduate and Alumnus
- Men's Volleyball, Mohawk Mountaineers (2015-2017)
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Orlondo Steinauer
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- Head Coach, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- Previous coaching roles with the Toronto Argonauts and Fresno State Bulldogs
- Three-time Grey Cup Champion (two as a player, one as a coach) and five-time CFL All-Star
- Graduate and Student Athlete, Western Washington University
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2020-2021 MSALP Education Series
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Sean Connors
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Topic: Men of Quality/Bystander Intervention
Men of Quality
Session: In this discussion-based workshop, participants will unpack the impact of gender-based and sexual violence on their campus community and the importance of male allyship in preventing and eradicating this form of violence. This workshop is facilitated by White Ribbon in partnership with the Student Rights and Responsibilities Office.
Bystander Intervention
Session: This session is aimed at generating discussion around the different forms of gender-based and/or sexual violence that is present on campus and within our community.
- Gender Based Violence Education Coordinator, Mohawk College
- Former Student Wellness Coordinator, Mohawk College (2018-2020)
- Graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland & Nipissing University
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Lara Hof
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Topic: The Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities
Session: SRRO is leading a civility campaign at Mohawk called Be More. The Be More campaign is intended to raise awareness of our Mohawk community values. We encourage our students to challenge themselves at every opportunity - to lead, inspire, get involved and become well rounded global citizens, who are able to step up and take on the challenges they will face inside and outside of the classroom.
- Director of Student Rights & Responsibilities, Mohawk College
- Former Manager for the Office of Student Conduct, Humber College
- Graduate of the University of Guelph
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Shanice Marcelle
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Topic: Female Empowerment/Leadership
Session: concept of everyday leadership and how finding and listening to their voice can empower you to lead beyond the field of play. Goal of the session will be for athletes to feel inspired to lead by leaving positive impacts on others.
- Professional and Team Canada Beach Volleyball Member
- Pepresented Canada internationally for 14 years
- Women's Volleyball Assistant Coach, York University
- Won five straight CIS/USport Volleyball Championships at the University of British Columbia (2009-2013)
- Graduate and Student-Athlete, University of British Columbia
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Nicholas Petrella
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TOPIC: Mental Health
Session: One of Five FACES of Mental Illness in Canada where the goal is to reduce stigma and create awareness of Mental Illness while promoting recovery.
- Mohawk College Health, Wellness and Fitness Professor and Field Placement Lead
- Elite Athlete Performance Advisor, Mountaineers Athletics
- Mountaineers Women's Volleyball Assistant Coach
- Graduate of Brock University
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Sean Sydor
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TOPIC: The 3 R's of Mental Health Education
Session: How to come through in the clutch. The presentation will talk about mental health and student athletes, with a focus on the impact of COVID-19 on mental health. It will also cover the importance peers having in identifying an responding to concerns of mental illness or risk of suicide
- Athletic Counsellor, Mountaineers Athletics
- Sessional Counsellor, Mohawk College
- Psychotherapist, Durand Integrated Health Group Inc.
- Graduate of the University of Waterloo & University of Toronto
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