Colorado University Athletics
Speaker Talks To Buffs About Leadership, Decision Making
January 28, 2009 | General, Herbst Academic Center
BOULDER - "CU I see you!"
From the moment Alonzo Jones uttered those words passionately to open his talk until the moment he gracefully ended with the same words, he had captivated the audience in the auditorium in the Mathematics building at the University of Colorado. Most of CU's 325 or so student-athletes were in attendance.
Jones, associate dean of student affairs at Arizona State University, traveled in from Tempe, Ariz., to speak to CU's student-athletes Monday night in the Mathematics building on campus. The talk centered on leadership and decision making.
"Any time you can bring in an expert that can connect and knows the complexities of being a student-athlete, it's always helpful," CU Director of Athletics Mike Bohn said. "Being a student-athlete is such a unique, challenging and rewarding dynamic if the opportunity is taken advantage of, and Mr. Jones conveyed that message very well."
Jones detailed ways in which CU student-athletes can take leadership roles on campus with such techniques as sitting in the front of the classroom, introducing themselves often and taking part in one additional activity unrelated to athletics on campus.
"Right now is a critical time in your lives," Jones told those in attendance. "When you're 41 like me, you'll either look back and thank the 20-year-old you or you'll wish you could travel back in time and kick your ..."
Jones detailed that each person shows different versions of who they are depending on the people and/or places they're around. He urged the student-athletes to recognize when it's appropriate for either an informal or formal version of themselves to appear but not to stray away from constant attributes such as values, character, etc.
Before he ended the speech he urged the students to allow the student version of themselves to dictate over the social versions of themselves. The social versions, if dominant, can detract from ones goals in the classroom and on the field. He also cited several examples of how the world's leaders and decision-makers all have a college degree but the degree should not be looked upon with a dollar amount but an opportunity.
Jones also says that the demands CU student-athletes face are not unique and that the dynamics today's youth faces really do transcend state and region and are similar all over the United States.
"These kids are sharp," Jones said after the speech. "They had intense eye contact and there were minimal distractions. Big groups are fun but can be very challenging. It's like a dance, but I love doing it and I loved doing it tonight."
