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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – With the mission of the Muhammad Ali Center closely resembling the goals of NCAA Division II, the venue provided an ideal setting for the Cal Poly Pomona women's cross country team and other university athletes to mingle Wednesday with students from local Louisville high schools.
The center focuses on six goals for educational programming: respect, confidence, conviction, dedication, spirituality and giving. The D-II student-athlete community prides itself on six attributes: service, passion, learning, balance, resourcefulness and sportsmanship.
Days away from competing at the NCAA Division II National Championships, the Broncos are spending time around Louisville as games in other fall sports, such as volleyball, soccer and field hockey, get underway Thursday.
Before going to opening ceremonies for the cross country squads on Wednesday evening, CPP took the morning to visit the Muhammad Ali Center located in downtown Louisville. The Broncos along with other competing collegiate teams joined students from high schools such as St. Xavier and Seneca of Jefferson County.
The event began with members of the center's staff providing an insight into Muhammad Ali's influence and his importance to the city after growing up as a Louisville native. Jill Willson, who oversees Division II's community-engagement efforts, then introduced the college teams in attendance and invited the high school students to the competitions around the city later this week.
Then, both the college and high school groups toured the center while watching videos, participating in activities and getting to know each other. The Broncos even put on boxing gloves, pretending to spar but staying injury-free before Saturday's race.
CPP is making its second appearance in program history at the D-II Championships. The Broncos' women's cross country team first advanced to this stage in 1985. This year's squad is led by fourth-year head coach Troy Johnson.
