DALLAS -- UND Track & Field/Cross Country's Brooklyn Brouse and Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development Tyler Burmeister attended the 2025 NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum (SALF) in Dallas, Texas. The forum took place November 19th-23rd and hosted over 250 learners from across all three divisions of the NCAA. 

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.

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.

Brouse, the UND Student-Athlete Advisory (SAAC) president, was selected as the female representative of The Summit League. 

"Participating in SALF was genuinely transformative," said Brouse. "Being surrounded by student-athletes from across the country pushed me to reflect deeply, grow intentionally, and strengthen my commitment to leading with purpose. The conversations, challenges, and mentorship helped me understand my strengths in new ways and gave me the tools I will carry long after the forum."  

Building relationships was a key focus of the program and was encouraged through small-group activities. Learners were each assigned to a color team with about 30 other student-athletes, coaches and administrators, as well as two trained facilitators, who serve as college athletics administrators on campuses throughout the NCAA membership.

"Brooklyn has grown tremendously over the past few years, both as a student-athlete and as a leader within Summit League SAAC," said Sarah Swanson, Assistant Commissioner for Sports, Championships, & Student-Athlete Services of The Summit Leage. "We are incredibly proud to have had her represent The Summit League at SALF. Having experienced SALF myself, I know firsthand how impactful the programming and networking can be, and I'm confident this opportunity will further strengthen her leadership. We're excited to see her bring those insights back to Summit League SAAC."

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.

Burmeister was one of twenty administrators selected from across the NCAA and made his second appearance as a facilitator after also serving in the same role at the 2019 Student-Athlete Leadership Forum in Orlando, Fla. 

For administrators and coaches, Lamarr Pottinger, CEO of Determined To Be Great Consulting, facilitated an interactive workshop with administrators and coaches on the leadership pipeline framework, addressing the different levels and responsibilities of leadership. 

"It was an incredible honor being selected to return to SALF and pour leadership lessons into the students-athletes and administrators," said Burmeister. "Being a small part in empowering these learners to make a positive impact on their campuses was truly a rewarding and transformational experience." 

To learn more about the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum, visit the following link: https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2013/11/21/student-athlete-leadership-forum.aspx