Record Number of Student Leaders Compete in Cardboard Canoe Race

The Center for the Development of Leadership Skills’ Team Leadership Challenge 2013: “Navigating Your Path to Success” once again made a big splash in Richard A. Coppola Pool on April 21, with a record number of student leaders representative of organizations such as the Leadership Development Program, Greek Life, and SGA participating in the cardboard canoe races.

“The Center for the Development of Leadership Skills (CDLS) was very pleased that more than 70 students participated in this year’s event.  Sixteen boats were built and raced, and once again, the bleachers of Coppola Pool were full with Greek organizations and student leaders supporting and cheering on their teams,” said Laura Seplaki, associate director of the CDLS and director of the Leadership Development Program.

The Team Leadership Challenge involves student teams putting their leadership and team-building skills to the test as they construct cardboard canoes and race their creations across the Richard A. Coppola Pool.

The CDLS teamed up with Recreational Programs and the Organizational Leadership program, as well as the Office of Greek Life, as part of its Greek Week activities. Prior to the race, each team was required to attend a two-hour workshop designed to provide leadership training and cardboard canoe building preparation. A new twist was added this year as participants were thrown curve balls, such as not being able to communicate verbally for a period of time, during the boat build to increase the challenge.

As part of her capstone assignment for LEAD 598: Project Seminar in Organizational Leadership, graduate student Alyssa Martillotti, M.A. ‘13 helped to organize the event with Seplaki, Dianna Clauss, assistant director of Campus Life for Recreation Programs, and Amanda Eisele, coordinator of Greek Life.

The overall three teams with the fastest times were:

First Place: Tau Kappa Epsilon

Ben Casale '13

Mark Naugle '15

Zack Benevento '15

Second Place:  The Other Team

Gianna Calvo '16

Bethanie Russakow '16

Shaquanna Williams '16

Blaine DeAngelis '16

Samantha Watson '16

Third Place:  Zeta Tau Alpha

Kathryn Hoover '14

Nina Ficociello '15

Courtney Johnson '14

Hana Dolan '16

Brittany MacDonald '16