March 27, 2008

AMHERST, Mass. - UMass sophomore hockey forward Will Ortiz (Framingham, Mass.) has been selected to attend the NCAA Leadership Conference May 25th-27th in Orlando, Fla. The NCAA National Student-Athlete Development 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.

The NCAA has increased the number of opportunities for student-athletes to participate in the conference to 700 beginning with the 2008 event taking place May 25-29 in Orlando, Florida at the Walt Disney World Resort. The application deadline is February 8 and the conference is open to student-athletes at all NCAA member institutions.

The 2008 event will be conducted in two conferences - the first will be May 25 to 27 and the second will be May 27 to 29. Each division will have the opportunity to send 233 student-athletes to participate.

Ortiz played in 32 games this past hockey season scoring seven goals and adding eight assists. Two of his goals were game-winners which was tied for the team lead. For his career, Ortiz has played in 70 games with 14 goals and 22 assists.

In the classroom, Ortiz is enrolled in the School of Management at UMass.