HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Coker College women's soccer player Emma Ferguson has been selected by the South Atlantic Conference to attend the 2016 NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum taking place on April 7-10 in Phoenix, Ariz.

"I am beyond excited to be selected to not only represent the South Atlantic Conference, but Coker College at the 2016 NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum," said Ferguson. "Attending this event will allow me to gain invaluable skills sets that will help better my role as a member of SAAC and a student-athlete. I am eager to listen, observe, learn and share as much as I can while representing the Cobras." 

The forum, which was created in 1997, consists of student-athletes, coaches and administrators from all three NCAA divisions. Specifically, Division II conferences select three student-athletes and one administrator from its member schools to attend.

"This is such a fantastic honor for Emma, our women's soccer program, the athletic department and the Coker community as a whole to have her represent the South Atlantic Conference at the leadership forum," said head women's soccer coach Debbie McGuinness. "She is a remarkable young lady who continuously strives to make herself and those around her better. Her positive attitude, ability to direct others, execute plans and motivate others is paramount to her success."

Ferguson is a junior defender for the Coker women's soccer team from Statesville, N.C. She has played in 37 games over the past three seasons, starting in 31 of them. She is a member of the Cobras' Student-Athlete Advisor Committee.

This is the second straight year that Coker will have a student-athlete representing the SAC at the NCAA leadership Forum. Last year, current senior men's basketball player Deion Craig was selected by the conference to attend.

About the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum

The NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum engages a diverse and dynamic representation of student-athletes, coaches, faculty and administrators. Student-athletes selected to attend Leadership Forum return to campus with invaluable leadership skills, the experience of exploring the relationship between personal values, core beliefs and behavioral styles, and a thorough understanding of the NCAA as a whole, the different divisional perspectives and the valuable role of Student-Athlete Advisory Committees (SAAC).

The Leadership Forum, created in 1997, has been a life-changing experience for nearly 5,000 student-athletes, many who have grown personally and professionally, gained a new network of peers and friends, as well as felt the rewards and importance of community service.