PAC Teams with PSAC and CSAC for Generational Workshop 12/13/2012 8:10:24 PM SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) joined forces with the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) and the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) this week to host a pair of workshops titled Coaching Across Generations: From Praise to Parents. PSAC schools Kutztown University and Slippery Rock University served as host sites Tuesday and Thursday, respectively. The seminar, conducted by the former NCAA Associate Director of Student-Athlete Affairs and Leadership Development Becky Ahlgren-Bedics, is designed to help collegiate coaches and administrators gain an edge in the recruiting process by equipping them with better communication skills and an understanding of the Millennial Student-Athlete. “A workshop like this is so unique, not just because it combined the personnel from three conferences from both Division II and III, but also because it gives these professionals an opportunity to discuss in greater detail the challenges encountered and strategies they employ to successfully work with today's student-athletes. These discussions come from a place of wanting to better connect and relate with their teams to achieve their goals,” said Ahlgren-Bedics. Kutztown had 95 attendees from primarily the Eastern Division of the PSAC and the CSAC, while Slippery Rock attracted around 100 participants from the PSAC West institutions and the PAC. The PAC was thrilled to work with our conference colleagues in the PSAC and the CSAC to provide our coaches with the opportunity to more effectively recruit and interact with millennial student-athletes,” said PAC Commissioner Joe Onderko. The program was conducted in three parts, with the first being a conversation defining relevant generational groups and how their unique characteristics impact the world of collegiate athletics. Next, coaches and administrators were given the opportunity to discuss challenges they may face when relating with student-athletes from the Gen-Y or Millennial Generation and shared strategies to strengthen those relationships. The third portion allowed members from the same institution to talk freely about how to apply what they learned on their specific campus. “The programming for our coaches is something we've wanted to do for a while,” said PSAC Commissioner Steve Murray. “Becky provided a great background and experience for us, especially with her Division II experience at the NCAA. The programming was perfect for the coaches and allowed them to discuss the real world aspect of the generational changes that are occurring.” "All of our coaches and administrators found the workshop extremely beneficial and enjoyed interacting and finding commonality with their peers from Division II,” said CSAC Commissioner Jennifer Dubow. “As our conferences partnered two years ago for a field hockey and women's lacrosse officiating improvement program, I look forward to future partnerships with the PSAC."