West Virginia University student-athletes will have a chance to brush up on their speaking skills and offer sage advice to the community as part of”Students Athletes Speak Out”at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 13. The talks will be outside the Athletic Directors Office, second floor, WVU Coliseum.
Its all a part of Professor Carolyn AtkinsSpeech Pathology and Audiology 170: Speaking to Communities class, or”Jock Talk,”as it has been nicknamed it. Its a popular course with WVU athletes who are often the subject of media interviews. It also prepares them for job interviews and other professional presentations.
“Student athletes who are comfortable in the sports arena are often, like others, fearful of speaking in public,”said Atkins.”Although they have confidence in their athletic abilities, they may lack confidence when being interviewed or speaking before groups.”
The speeches are based on student-athletes’life experiences. Common themes have focused on family relationships and responsibilities, peer pressure and life-changing or inspirational events, Atkins said.
This years student presentations will be made by football players Miquelle Henderson,”From Theodore to Morgantown;”Mike Henshaw,”Learning the Hard Way;”Rasheed Marshall,”Follow the Leader;”Travis Garrett,”Pap Paps Wisdom;”Jahmile Addae,”Preparation is the Key;”and Caleb Cooper,”Simple Gifts.”
The presentations are being made to the WVU Athletic Council.