Temple University Athletics
Alex Derenthal Attends National Student-Athlete Development Conference
5.28.08 | Football
May 28, 2008
PHILADELPHIA - Temple redshirt senior Alex Derenthal (Davie, Fla.) has been selected as one of 233 Division I student-athletes to participate in the 2008 NCAA National Student-Athlete Development Conference in Orlando, Fla., this week.
The conference (formerly known as the NCAA Leadership Conference) provides NCAA student-athletes with a forum to openly discuss issues that may affect them on their campuses and in their communities, while also providing them with the opportunity to enhance their leadership, communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. The conference also promotes better communication among student-athletes, coaches, administrators, faculty, and communities.
Held at the Walt Disney World Resort, the conference has increased its size to allow 700 student-athletes from Divisions I, II, and III to attend. The conference is broken up into two sessions with the first held on May 25-27 and the second on May 27-29. Derenthal is participating in the first session.
One of 42 football players named to the 2008 Rimington Trophy watch list as the nation's top center, Derenthal was named Temple's offensive MVP in 2007. He enters the 2008 season having started 35 consecutive games. With the most playing experience of any Owl, Derenthal also earned the team's best offensive lineman honor last season. Derenthal became the first player in school history to earn the team's MVP honor as a sophomore in 2006.
A 2008 preseason All-Mid-American Conference selection, Derenthal has also been heralded for his work off the field. Last fall he was named to the American Football Coaches Association's Good Works Team for his community service efforts.
Temple opens the 2008 season at Army on Friday, August 29. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. before a national television audience on ESPNU. The Owls host Connecticut on Sept. 6 at Lincoln Financial Field in their home opener on ESPNU.
