NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum Info | Photo Gallery
The Big West was proudly represented by three individuals at the 2025 NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum (SALF) in Dallas, Texas. Daryana Hall from Long Beach State, Tate Meaux from UC San Diego, and Angie Allen from the conference office were on-site for the forum that took place November 20th-23rd and hosted over 250 learners from across all three divisions of the NCAA.  

Since its inception in 1997, the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum has stood as one of the Association’s most impactful development programs, empowering thousands of student-athletes to grow as leaders, collaborators, and advocates within their communities.  

The four-day summit unites Division I, II, and III student-athletes for an immersive experience built around values-based leadership training, hands-on learning, and meaningful service. Through small “color team” groups led by trained facilitators, participants explore communication styles, personal values, emotional intelligence, and the evolving role of student-athletes as campus leaders. 

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. Student-athletes also had the opportunity to attend division-specific governance sessions and participate in a community service activity to support domestic violence survivors. 

Allen was one of twenty administrators selected from across the NCAA to serve in a facilitator role. This is her first appearance in this role for the NCAA Leadership Development team.  

"It was an incredible honor being selected as a facilitator for SALF and pouring leadership lessons into the students-athletes and administrators," said Allen. " Watching these student-athletes step into their voices as leaders was powerful on its own, but what surprised me most was how much I grew alongside them. This experience stretched my creativity, strengthened my purpose, and reminded me why supporting young leaders truly matters.” 

“What an honor it was to spend four days at the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum,” Meaux said. “This event united athletes from every division to develop leadership skills we can bring home to our conferences and institutions. We spent the week diving into mindset, influence, authenticity, EQ versus IQ, owning our mistakes, and leading with strength and intention. I’m more confident than ever in my ability to adjust my sails and guide others. To me, leadership is about shaping those around you into leaders themselves, and this weekend will help me continue doing just that.” 

Hall echoed the impact of the weekend. “I’m so grateful to have been part of the 2025 Student-Athlete Leadership Forum,” she said. “I learned so much about the traits of strong leadership and how to develop those skills. I’m a firm believer that knowledge is meant to be shared, so I can’t wait to bring everything I learned back to my campus.” 

The NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum continues to be a powerful catalyst for growth, connection, and purpose. For The Big West, the summit not only elevated its participants but also reaffirmed the conference’s commitment to empowering student-athletes as leaders on their teams, campuses, and in their communities. 

Read more about the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum here.