Eight West Virginia University student-athletes presented speeches today in the Jerry West Room at the WVU Coliseum in conjunction with Dr. Carolyn P. Atkins’ class, SPA 170, Speaking to Communities. Those making presentations were Ishmael Banks, Ivan McCartney, Quinton Spain, Trey Johnson, Vance and Vernard Roberts, Matt Stara and Mike Calicchio.

Dr. Atkins began Student Athletes Speak Out in 1990 in an effort to help Mountaineer athletes improve their interviewing skills, and it has since evolved into an annual program in which student-athletes are required to give motivational speeches to area schools detailing their personal experiences.

The program is now accompanied with a DVD and a book Dr. Atkins authored entitled Great Unexpectations: Lessons from the Hearts of College Athletes, detailing her personal experiences with athletes in this curriculum during the last 20 years.