Pottinger, Gray Attend NCAA Whitcomb Leadership Institute

LUBBOCK, Texas – Two staff members from the J.T. and Margaret Talkington Leadership Academy participated in the NCAA Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute this past weekend in Tampa, Florida.

Lamarr Pottinger, the Assistant Athletics Director for the leadership academy, and Jessica Gray, assistant director for community and character development, were among the 35 minority athletics administrators who gathered for the elite five-day professional development seminar.

"We strive to think big, and in order to positively impact student-athletes and college athletics, you must develop future leaders," Senior Associate Athletics Director Amy Heard said. "The NCAA Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute's selection of Lamarr and Jessica enhances the initiatives we work on through professional development year round."

Texas Tech was one of only two schools with multiple administrators selected for the conference as Gray attended for the first time, while Pottinger participated for the second-consecutive summer to complete the two-year program.

Pottinger also recently represented the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A) and Texas Tech Athletics at the Loughborough University Athletics Summit and Development Professionals in England.

"This experience has been transformational for me over the last year," Pottinger said. "The opportunity to develop myself personally and professionally so I can go back to campus and do the same for others is invaluable. Texas Tech is a special place because it has that same philosophy when it comes to professional development opportunities. Simply put, it is about the people within our department."

The leadership institute, which was directed by the NCAA leadership development group, works to elevate participants' leadership skills to boost their professional growth and their ability to excel in each of their current roles.

"Everything about this institute has been inspirational not only for me professionally, but personally," Gray said. "Everyone has the ability to grow, but to be able to take a step back, pause and identify the ways within myself in which i can grow and grow those around me, has been nothing short of amazing. I'm thankful that Texas Tech prioritizes people and professional development."

Among the conference programming, the leadership institute aimed in assisting administrators plan their career in athletics administration by providing professional development training throughout a calendar year, which included five-day programs at the beginning and conclusion of each year.

Participants spend time exploring goals, clarifying values and looking closer at behavioral styles among other areas. The institute also provides participants the opportunity to view the internal workings of an athletics department with an on-campus visit to a local university.

"I am so proud of Lamarr and Jess," Heard said. "With their continued personal and professional development, the J.T. & Margaret Talkington Leadership Academy continues to growth leaders and bring back industry-leading tools for the benefit of Texas Tech."

Pottinger, Gray Attend NCAA Whitcomb Leadership Institute

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