Two Huskers Chosen for NCAA Leadership Conference

Indianapolis, Ind. -- Two University of Nebraska student-athletes were recently chosen to participate in the fourth annual NCAA Leadership Conference, which will be held May 28 - June 1, 2000, at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Fungai Tongoona, a member of the men's tennis team, and Rachel Spiry, a member of the women's rifle team, were chosen from a total of 885 nominations. The conference will provide student-athletes with the opportunity to discuss and explore critical issues facing their peers, to enhance their leadership skills and to promote better communication among student-athletes, coaches, administrators, faculty and communities.

Tongoona, a sophomore from Harare, Zimbabwe, is an international business major and holds a 3.027 grade point average. He and is a volunteer for the University Shadowing Program, which allows Lincoln Public School students to spend the day with college students, and was a featured speaker at the N4A regional conference for academic advisors. This season, Tongoona holds a 5-4 record at No. 4 singles and is 1-2 at No. 5.

Spiry, a sophomore, carries a 4.0 GPA in secondary education and mathematics. The Lincoln East graduate serves on the Student-Athlete Advisory Board and was a featured speaker at the Sydney Tour of Excellence, an annual event similar to the "School is Cool" Jam in which student-athletes along with student leaders participate in a motivational academic pep rally. Spiry, one of two returning athletes from last year's inaugural team, helped the Huskers to a third-place finish at the NCAA Championships earlier this month.