MEDFORD, Mass. -- Alphonso Belnavis, Defensive Backs/Special Teams Coach of the Bates College football program, and Tia Day, Coordinator of Athletics Marketing and Promotions, represented the Bobcats in a different light, April 5-6, as they both attended the third edition of the NESCAC Future Leaders Forum on the campus of Tufts University.

The event was geared towards diverse and underrepresented populations in collegiate athletics in the early stages of their careers in athletics, and provided participants the opportunity to better understand the inner workings of Division III programs and gain valuable skills and knowledge pertaining to the recruitment, development, and growth in such positions. Participants were also given the opportunity to hear from and network with Athletic Directors, Senior Woman Administrators, coaches, and other senior-level administrators representing various NESCAC institutions.

Participants learned about topics such as individual and team leadership development; brain-centered coaching theory and practice; managing up; networking best practices; and building and practicing interview and communication skills for the current job market and interview processes.

Coach Belnavis played four years of football as a cornerback for Husson University. A native of Auburn, Maine, Alphonso earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice (2017) and a master's degree in athletic administration (2020) from Husson. He just completed his first year on the staff of head coach Matt Coyne after spending two years as a defensive assistant at Amherst College.

 "This event was awesome," said Belnavis. "It was not only a great opportunity to connect with people that make up this conference (NESCAC), but also a chance to learn from talented professionals around the country. I'm always looking to grow, and this event was very helpful and informative."

Day graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington in the spring of 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in business economics and a minor in coaching. Tia, a native of Monmouth, Maine,  was also a four-year student-athlete for the UMF women's basketball squad. 

A rising star within the realm of college athletics and communications/sports information, Day recently earned the privilege to attend the 2023 CSC Unite Convention this June (11-14) in Orlando. Fla. Tia will also visit the NCAA National Office in Indianapolis this August to experience a behind-the-scenes tour of the campus, which will include meetings with the Media Coordination and Statistics staff, as well as with various other NCAA departments.  

"The Future Leaders Forum was an amazing experience," said Day. "I met so many terrific people that I will continue to keep in touch with during my professional career. The forum opened my eyes on best practices when it comes to leading, not only in the professional world, but also in my day-to-day life. I thank Bates Director of Athletics, Jason Fein, and Deputy Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator, Celine Cunningham, for giving me this opportunity!"