Phoenix Student-Athletes Kick Off 2026-27 with Annual Leadership Day

LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland University Athletics officially kicked off the 2026-27 academic year Friday with its annual Fall Leadership Day, bringing together student-athletes from the Phoenix's fall sports to prepare for success on and off the field.

Leadership Day provides student-athletes with valuable resources as they begin a new academic year, focusing on leadership development, personal growth, campus resources, and service. The day featured a series of educational sessions designed to help incoming freshmen transition to college athletics while reinforcing expectations and values for returning student-athletes.

This year's program centered around Cumberland's athletic department theme of SMART: Success, Motivation, Ambition, Respect, and Trust. The mantra will challenge Phoenix student-athletes to embody those characteristics throughout the academic year.

Vice President for Athletics Ron Pavan opened the day by welcoming student-athletes before a lineup of campus and community leaders shared insight on a variety of topics. Sessions included presentations from Cumberland Campus Minister Aaron Bellar, Executive Director of Community Relations and External Affairs and Title IX Coordinator Rusty Richardson, Dean of Students Stephanie Davis, sports psychologist Tim White, Assistant Athletic Director and Senior Woman Leader Dr. Katie Arnold, Faculty Athletics Representative Dr. Eric Landis, Head Athletic Trainers Tyler Bennett and Alex Page, and Director of Sports Performance Gunnar Helland. Pavan concluded the morning program before student-athletes headed to lunch and their afternoon service projects.

Following the morning sessions, teams put servant leadership into action by completing community service projects throughout Wilson County.

Men's Soccer volunteered at the Jimmy Floyd Family Center, set up for the Grand Family Event supporting grandparents raising grandchildren while Women's Volleyball served the event by playing games and supporting the families.

Women's Soccer visited Pavilion Assisted Living, spending time with residents through games and fellowship. Cheer and dance partnered with Sherry's Hope, collecting donated items from local businesses to support the organization's annual silent auction during Sherry's Run.

Football will be doing their community service projects next week helping unload trucks and reset campus classrooms prior to classes starting.

The annual Leadership Day serves as one of the department's signature initiatives, emphasizing Cumberland Athletics' commitment to developing student-athletes through leadership, character, and community engagement in addition to athletic success.

Cumberland's winter and spring sports programs will participate in their own Leadership Day on August 28th.

2026 Leadership Day

Print Friendly Version