In The Wake Of Matt McNichols
6/19/2007 12:00:00 AM | Swimming and Diving
June 19, 2007
EAST LANSING, Mich. - At first glance, Matt McNichols looks like your typical Michigan State student-athlete. However, out of the 750 plus student-athletes at MSU, McNichols, a senior on the swimming and diving team, was chosen to represent Michigan State at the NCAA National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla., held on May 27-31.
"There were some great candidates on the list, and I really didn't think I would be selected to go," said McNichols. "I figured I would go into it with an open mind, and I knew that being able to meet other athletes from all over the nation would be an incredible experience."
The annual conference provides 325 student-athletes the opportunity to discuss issues that not only concern the sport they represent, but all of the sports that their institution sponsors.
Each school submits four candidates to the NCAA. From there, a panel selects one representative from each school to attend the conference.
"With so many athletes at MSU, it was an incredible honor to be picked," McNichols said. "It is also great for our program (swimming and diving) to send a representative because we do not have the `hype' that other sports do, so we need to represent in other ways."
The conference encourages student-athletes to improve on a broad realm of skills that will enhance their leadership abilities, such as communication skills, decision-making, and problem-solving exercises.
"We were able to do personality trait exercises," McNichols explained. "You learn what type of personality style you have, and in turn you learn how to work with other types of personalities.
If I'm a captain in the fall, and say a freshman comes in with a personality different from mine, you learn how to connect with him the best. It teaches you to reach out in the most effective way possible to any type of personality somebody possesses."
McNichols and his colleagues at the conference were split up into groups, each consisting of student-athletes from big and small universities ranging from the East Coast to the West Coast.
"It was difficult because there were a lot of athletes from a lot of different schools trying to push a lot of different issues," McNichols said. "I had to act as the voice of Michigan State in order to assure that the interest of our university was heard."
McNichols is anything but new to occupying the role of a leader. As the captain of both his high school swim team and water polo team, McNichols was honored with his school's leadership and spirit award at the end of his senior year.
McNichols credits his parents with teaching him leadership abilities. "My dad was the captain of his high school team, and swam for Iowa State where he was captain there too. I tried to build off their leadership abilities and bring them to MSU."
As an active member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), which consists of student-athletes from Michigan State who assemble to provide insight on the student-athlete experience, Matt has broadened his ability to provide leadership within and among fellow athletes, as well as work toward his personal goals for the betterment of the community.
"When you are in SAAC you have the opportunity to get involved in a lot of community service, which I am really trying to get more of my team into," said McNichols. "I think being in SAAC also built my resume to help me get selected for the NCAA conference."
The application process for the leadership conference entailed an essay demonstrating a time the athlete displayed leadership. Each candidate was also asked to list his/her involvement with community service, and any awards they may have received.
If there was any question of the merit and personality that McNichols possesses, he was named his team's recipient for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, which is presented to student-athletes who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior.
Maximizing his opportunity at the conference, McNichols developed an action plan to promote various MSU sports that do not generate the fan base that larger sports do.
"My action plan deals with trying to get more exposure to all sports," he said. "MSU does a great job promoting the big-three" (football, basketball, hockey), however other sports sometimes do not receive a great deal of attention.
Our women's golf team hosted the Big Ten Championships, and only a small amount of people showed up. They even won the tournament that day," continued McNichols. "I'm not saying they have to pack the place, but other schools sell out tennis matches and baseball games. I know MSU has the fan base. As long as we can get more people out it would be incredible."
Recognizing and appreciating the support McNichols hopes for to see for all 25 varsity sports at Michigan State, he praises the student body by stating "they (student body) would make a huge difference if they were to attend more of the sports like swimming, baseball, etc." Whether it takes a rewards program where students can get a free t-shirt after attending events, or encouraging other MSU sports teams to come out and watch each other play, McNichols is on his way to implementing a plan-for-action that could increase the fan base of various sports for years to come.
"Anything to grab attention and create a great atmosphere," said McNichols.
With one year of eligibility left, McNichols appears to have high hopes for the future of MSU. Whether creating an action plan or demonstrating leadership in other ways, McNichols is using his skills to help benefit his team and his university.
Written by Steve Mnich, Sports Information Assistant
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