Indiana Fever star Tamika Catchings will discuss her efforts to motivate and inspire young people at the 2011 Hazelett Forum hosted by the Indiana University Randall L. Tobias Center for Leadership Excellence.
Catchings will help carry on the tradition of the annual forum as an outstanding example of women leaders in the community. The Nov. 30 event will allow her to discuss the Catch the Stars Foundation, which she created in 2004 to guide youth to set goals, dream bigger, and achieve more.
“Tamika Catchings is an athlete who uses her sports celebrity in such positive ways,” said Carol Madison, executive director of the Tobias Center. “She provides support for at-risk youth, but, more importantly, she inspires them to work hard toward their goals and be all they can be.
“She is a leader both on and off the basketball court, combining her talent with a strong work ethic and high academic achievement,” Madison added.
The Catch the Stars Foundation provides fitness and basketball clinics, as well as educational programs, mentoring and scholarships for disadvantaged youth. Catchings, a former Olympic gold medalist, is an outstanding role model and a perfect fit for the Hazelett Forum, Madison said.
The Hazelett Forum honors the late Susie Hazelett, the former executive director of the Randall L. Tobias Foundation. She was instrumental in helping to establish the Tobias Center, which functions from the IU Kelley School of Business Indianapolis. It is hosted annually by the center, the IUPUI Office for Women and Chancellor Charles R. Bantz.
The program grows out of a desire to honor and hear from individuals who are successful leaders. The Hazelett forum presents speakers who exemplify excellence in leadership and work to support the advancement of women in leadership roles.
The 2011 forum will kick off with a reception beginning at 5 p.m. followed by Catchings’ presentation at 6 p.m. on Nov. 30 on the fourth floor of the IUPUI Campus Center, 420 University Blvd.
