St. John's University Athletics
Adrian Nowak Represents St. John’s at NCAA Division I Leadership Forum
12/19/2025 11:40:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
Lacrosse captain becomes the first Red Storm representative for the BIG EAST since 2019
QUEENS, N.Y. – St. John's men's lacrosse captain Adrian Nowak represented the University and student-athletes in the BIG EAST at the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Leadership Forum, one of the NCAA's premier development opportunities for emerging leaders across the country.
The forum, held in Washington, D.C., brought together more than 350 student-athletes, coaches and administrators for three days of leadership training, team-building exercises, and discussions on personal growth and community impact. Nowak participated in workshops focused on effective communication, decision-making, conflict resolution, and building inclusive team environments, skills designed to enhance leadership both on and off the field.
"The brief conversations throughout the day were refreshing and meaningful, offering valuable opportunities to learn from one another. I formed lasting connections with athletes, coaches, and administrators from across the country at every level." Nowak said.
Throughout the weekend, Nowak spoke with representatives from other conferences nationwide, engaging in group discussions centered on strengthening the student-athlete voice within collegiate athletics. The forum also provided opportunities to connect with NCAA staff, learning strategies for leadership roles on campus.
"I left the forum feeling fulfilled, energized, and inspired. The lessons I learned will extend far beyond my playing career, and I began implementing them as soon as I returned to campus. Being able to openly discuss challenges and experiences with fellow representatives from their respective institutions was one of the most meaningful aspects of the conference. This experience was truly transformational and allowed me to reflect on who I am as both a person and a leader." said Nowak.
A redshirt junior attackman for the Red Storm, Nowak was nominated by the BIG EAST before being selected by the NCAA to represent the conference at the annual event. This honor is reserved for student-athletes who display exceptional character, work ethic, and emerging leadership potential within their programs. Nowak became the first representative from St. John's since 2019.
Last season, Nowak started all 15 games and totaled 44 points, including 24 goals. He earned BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week honors on Feb. 10 and was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on March 17. Nowak recorded 10 multi-point performances, highlighted by four outings with four points or more. The attackman finished the 2025 campaign ranked sixth in the BIG EAST with 1.3 assists per game.
Nowak and the Red Storm will open the 2026 campaign on Feb. 7 against NJIT at 1 p.m. at Cox Family Field at Belson Stadium.
The forum, held in Washington, D.C., brought together more than 350 student-athletes, coaches and administrators for three days of leadership training, team-building exercises, and discussions on personal growth and community impact. Nowak participated in workshops focused on effective communication, decision-making, conflict resolution, and building inclusive team environments, skills designed to enhance leadership both on and off the field.
"The brief conversations throughout the day were refreshing and meaningful, offering valuable opportunities to learn from one another. I formed lasting connections with athletes, coaches, and administrators from across the country at every level." Nowak said.
Throughout the weekend, Nowak spoke with representatives from other conferences nationwide, engaging in group discussions centered on strengthening the student-athlete voice within collegiate athletics. The forum also provided opportunities to connect with NCAA staff, learning strategies for leadership roles on campus.
"I left the forum feeling fulfilled, energized, and inspired. The lessons I learned will extend far beyond my playing career, and I began implementing them as soon as I returned to campus. Being able to openly discuss challenges and experiences with fellow representatives from their respective institutions was one of the most meaningful aspects of the conference. This experience was truly transformational and allowed me to reflect on who I am as both a person and a leader." said Nowak.
A redshirt junior attackman for the Red Storm, Nowak was nominated by the BIG EAST before being selected by the NCAA to represent the conference at the annual event. This honor is reserved for student-athletes who display exceptional character, work ethic, and emerging leadership potential within their programs. Nowak became the first representative from St. John's since 2019.
Last season, Nowak started all 15 games and totaled 44 points, including 24 goals. He earned BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week honors on Feb. 10 and was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on March 17. Nowak recorded 10 multi-point performances, highlighted by four outings with four points or more. The attackman finished the 2025 campaign ranked sixth in the BIG EAST with 1.3 assists per game.
Nowak and the Red Storm will open the 2026 campaign on Feb. 7 against NJIT at 1 p.m. at Cox Family Field at Belson Stadium.
Players Mentioned
ATT
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