January Will Represent BIG EAST at NCAA Leadership Forum
12/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO - Jessica January has been selected to represent the BIG EAST Conference at the 2016 NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum April 7-10 in Phoenix.
She will be attending the event along with Creighton cross-country runner Ty Medd.
The Student-Athlete Leadership Forum is an annual educational opportunity for student-athletes exhibiting leadership and positive influence on campus and within the community.
The NCAA created the Leadership Forum in 1997 as an opportunity for student-athletes to network and return to campus with invaluable leadership skills.
One male and one female BIG EAST Conference student-athlete are selected annually by the conference and a subcommittee of league athletic directors.
"A couple of weeks ago Jill (associate head coach Jill M. Pizzotti) called and told me that I was being nominated," January said. "Then last week, I got an e-mail and confirmed with Jill that I had been selected. Both of us were really excited.
"It is such an honor to be chosen to represent the BIG EAST and attend this conference. This will help student-athletes learn more about the NCAA, and I'm looking forward to networking with other student-athlete leaders."
January is a team captain this season, and the junior guard has helped lead the Blue Demons to a 7-4 start that includes an impressive 80-66 road victory over No. 15/16 Texas A&M.
She is averaging close to 14 points a game and leads the team in assists with nearly seven a game and in total steals with 25.
The 2014-15 All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention selection was among the league leaders in scoring, steals and assists as a sophomore and is also a two-time BIG EAST All-Academic Team honoree.
January has had to become more vocal during practice and competition while also maintaining academic excellence in the classroom.
"At DePaul, this leadership role continues to extend beyond the court and is displayed through my various academic achievements and commitment to serving the DePaul University and communities throughout Chicago," January said. "This experience will help me grow personally and professionally.
"I will be able to return back to DePaul with new leadership skills to apply to my team, the athletic department, and the DePaul community while also gaining a new network of peers who are emerging leaders."
