May 23, 2001

Raleigh, N.C. -- NC State men's soccer player Damon Butler has been selected to participate in the fifth annual NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference. A total of 300 student-athletes from across the nation were selected from a total of 1,084 nominations from NCAA member institutions that participate in the CHAMPS/Life Skills Program. The conference will be held May 28 through June 1, 2001, at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex and Coronado Springs Resorts in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

The mission of the NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference is to provide a diverse group of the nation's top student-athletes and opportunity to actively participate in challenging and thought-provoking activities that will enable them to become better leaders on their campuses and in their communities.

The 2001 NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference will focus on topics identified during the nomination process as well as topics recommended by members of the Division I, II and III NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committees who serve as an Association-wide voice for student-athlete issues. Topics for past conferences have included developing leadership skills, changing perception, developing political skills and utilizing the student-athlete committee.

More than 1,000 student-athletes have taken part in the NCAA Foundation Leadership's experience. The student-athlete chosen to participate will represent all NCAA divisions, 22 different sports and more than 20 countries.

Butler, a senior from Cleveland, Ohio, set career-highs for himself last season with three goals and eight points while playing defense. In his career, Butler has started 49 of the 50 games he has played in for NC State.â^`