Link-N-Leaders

The third annual Link-N-Leaders event took place Sunday, April 10th, bringing together more than 200 Lincoln Public School (LPS) students and 50 Husker student-athletes at the Hawks Championship Center. Students from LPS elementary and middles schools were nominated by their teachers as “future leaders” who follow school rules, exhibit a positive attitude, are positive role models, and have demonstrated commitment to Nebraska’s Athletic Department core values of Integrity, Trust, Respect, Teamwork and Loyalty.

The goal of the event is simple - connect LPS student leaders with Husker student-athlete leaders to empower them to continue to develop and grow as they continue on their educational journey. Members of Nebraska’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Inner Circle served as leaders at each of the stations. Each participant rotated through five activities – one per core value – each with a fun ice breaker and debriefing on either end. After completion, each student was given a button with the core value on it for them to wear with pride. The culmination of the event consisted of an “I AM A LEADER” pin for each student, a personalized certificate signed by Director of Athletics Shawn Eichorst and SAAC President Caroline Flynn, and everyone taking the following pledge:

We are leaders, yes we are
Step up and it will take you far.
As leaders we find certain things a must,
Like Teamwork, Loyalty, Integrity, Respect and Trust.
If we step up and do what’s right,
Leadership will help keep our future bright.

As the students worked through the stations, they met Huskers from all sports. In addition to the student portion, parents of the participants were given a tour of Memorial Stadium and had the opportunity to ask student-athletes questions via a student-athlete leader panel.