April 22, 2008

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Colorado State men's basketball guard Willis Gardner was selected by the NCAA Leadership Development Committee to represent Colorado State at the 2008 NCAA National Student-Athlete Development Conference. Gardner, a junior from Norristown, Penn., was the primary point guard for the Rams this season.

Gardner was one of 1,840 nominees received by the committee, coming from 462 institutions nationwide, after being nominated by CSU. From the pool of student-athletes, the committee selected 700 individuals it felt would best represent their institution.

The NCAA Leadership Development Conference aims to provide an opportunity for the nation's top student-athletes to participate in challenging and thought-provoking activities that will allow them to become better leaders on their campuses and in their communities. The conference also develops student-athletes' leadership, communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills.

Each nominee was required to write a personal essay detailing his/her academic, athletic, and community achievements. In addition, all nominees must be returning to campus for the 2008-2009 academic year, have participated in an NCAA sponsored sport during the 2007-2008 academic year, be in good academic standing, demonstrate the ability or strong desire to lead, and participate fully in all conference activities. Colorado State nominated four athletes.

On the court, the junior served as the Rams' starting point guard last season, playing in 30 games. In his first contest as a Ram, he played CSU's first 40-minute game since 2005. He recorded three or more assists on 17 occasions, including a career high, nine, against Tennessee State. Gardner averaged 9.8 points per game in a season plagued by injuries.

Tara Staley, a graduating senior on the swimming and diving team, represented Colorado State at the event in 2007. The conference, which is in its 12th year, will be held in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., from May 25-27.