Virginia Union University Character and Leadership Coach, Dr. Raymond Bell Selected to Attend NCAA Leadership Development and NFL Player Engagement Coaches Academy

    FREDERICKSBURG, VA, March 03, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Dr. Raymond A. Bell, Jr. was one of 34 NCAA football coaches selected to attend the 2017 NCAA and NFL Coaches Academy. Since 2013, Dr. Bell has served as a Leadership Coach and Assistant Quarterback Coach at Virginia Union University in Richmond, VA. Previously, he was the team's Character and Leadership Coach for two years.

The Coaches Academy is a collaborative effort between NCAA Leadership Development and NFL Player Engagement that educates and trains participants from across the country in areas that encourage effective coaching and improves student-athlete well-being at both intercollegiate and professional levels. During the 3-day event, participants received instruction from successful NFL, college and high school coaches as well as business leaders and athletic administrators about the business of coaching. According to Bernard Franklin, NCAA executive vice president of education and community engagement membership chief inclusion officer, "The exposure of aspiring coaches to a collection of the top minds in football -- discussing topics like financial literacy, mental health and locker room culture -- is crucial now and in the future."

Dr. Bell reflected on his experience at the Coaches Academy, "A central theme that the presenters focused on was the importance of integrity and values. My coaching practice focuses on character and leadership." Dr. Bell approaches coaching from a holistic perspective: engaging the players' mind, body and spirit.

The NFL-NCAA Coaches Academy program guides former and current college and professional players and current high school and college coaches through the intricacies of the coaching profession. Participants learn from experienced coaches at the 2014 NFL-NCAA Coaches Academy. James Thrash, Manager of Player Engagement explains, "The NFL-NCAA Coaches Academy gives us the opportunity to equip current players and NFL Legends with the tools to become effective coaches at the high school, college or professional levels. This is their opportunity to learn from coaches at all levels."

About Dr. Bell
Dr. Raymond A. Bell, Jr. is the President of Mosaic Expressions, a leadership coaching and consulting firm dedicated to the development of leaders through training programs, critical analysis evaluation and executive coaching. Dr. Bell helps his clients live their professional vision and finds joy in building the character of others. He delivers a motivational moment entitled "Next Steps," on a local talk radio station in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where he encourages listeners to practice forward thinking and to take action.

NCAA Leadership Development, located in Indianapolis, IN provides education and training for college athletes, coaches and administrators to assist with the transition to life after college sports, to foster the growth of the next generation of leaders and to encourage athletics administrators to translate lessons learned through competition.

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