May 8, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Blaise Carie, a sophomore track and cross country athlete at Samford, has been selected to participate in the NCAA National Student-Athlete Development Conference in Orlando, Fla.

The conference is scheduled for May 27-29 at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.

"I am excited to go down there, it is an honor," Carie said. "I know some people in the past who have gone and they are top-notch people and I feel blessed to be in their company."

Carie was one of four student-athletes (two male, two female) nominated by Samford for the conference. Each nominee submitted an application and an essay, and Carie was selected by the NCAA for the conference.

This marks the sixth-straight year that Samford has had a representative at the conference.

"Blaise is a fine young man and an excellent student," Assistant Director of Athletics for Academic Services Chris Scott said. "He will make an outstanding representative for Samford University."

The conference provides NCAA student-athletes with a forum to openly discuss issues that may affect them on their campuses and in their communities, while also providing them with the opportunity to enhance their leadership, communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills. The conference also promotes better communication among student-athletes, coaches, administrators, faculty and communities.

In all, 700 student-athletes will have the opportunity to participate in the conference, the most since the conference began.