The Alabama Community College Conference is pleased to announce the formation of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) and Leadership Development Program (LDP).

Two student-athletes from each ACCC member institution will convene for leadership workshops, with sessions addressing a broad array of topics to include: personal leadership development, sportsmanship on and off the field, social media etiquette, financial responsibility, leader/follower relations, current national issues, and networking skills.  These individuals will also take an active role in leading the SAAC and LDP on their individual campuses.  

In addition to hearing from experts in their aforementioned fields, attendees would also hear from notable ACCC alumni who have experienced success in and out of the athletic domain beyond their time at an Alabama community college.  Also included will be community-based service projects. 

"I look forward to working with our Conference leaders toward the empowerment and development of our student-athletes," stated ACCC Commissioner Dean Myrick. "We are very fortunate to have such skilled and goal oriented individuals who have graciously volunteered to work and lead our student-athletes. Our mission is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by providing opportunites for engagement, critical conversation, leadership development, and community oriented service projects." 

The ACCC is proud to annouce the following individuals who will lead our student-athlete leaders.

CHAIR - Carlton Rice, Athletic Director - Lawson State Community College

Carlton Rice is in his seventh year as Director of Athletics at Lawson State Community College, continuing to lead an era of unprecedented growth and success. After serving as interim athletic director during his first year, he was permanently named to the post in 2014 and has been the youngest athletic director in the Alabama Community College Conference during that time.

During his tenure at Lawson State, Rice has been a strong steward for the growth of a program that sponsors baseball, men's and women's basketball, volleyball, and men's and women's cross country. Student-athletes have maintained a solid grade point average and one of the highest student-athlete graduation rates in the college's history among all sports. He also led the efforts for Lawson State to host the Alabama Community College Conference men's and women's basketball tournaments for the first time in 2017. Rice has been solid as a fundraiser, annually raising more than $100,000 while managing a yearly budget that approaches $1 million.

On the fields of play, Rice has overseen the baseball program setting a school record in 2019 with 31 wins and advancing to the ACCC tournament semifinals. In 2018, the volleyball program recorded a record 28 wins and finished second in the conference. His efforts were rewarded as Rice was named ACCC Athletic Director of the Year for the 2018-19 academic year.

Along with his athletic director duties at Lawson State, Rice has served on the president's extended cabinet, numerous college hiring committees, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Accreditation Committee, and Quality Education Enhancement Program. He also plans and represents the college in a wide range of community programs/initiatives as well as teaches courses in physical education.

Prior to his stint at Lawson State, Rice served as the athletic director for four years (2009-13) at Burke High School in Charleston, South Carolina. He was also a Graduate Assistant in the athletic department at Alabama A&M from 2007-09.

Rice earned his Bachelor's degree in Physical Education from Mississippi State and a Master's degree in Physical Education from Alabama A&M, he also lettered in football at both institutions. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from Tennessee State University. He is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA), and he serves on the Executive Committee for District 3 of The National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletics Administrators (NATYCAA).

"This an extremely needed platform for our student-athletes, especially during times like these. I am excited and anxious to serve our student-athletes in this capacity. I look forward to working with the ACCC to get this program up and running to enhance the development and overall student-athlete experience." Carlton Rice

Presidential Representative - Dr. Reginald Sykes - President - Bishop State Community College

Dr. Reggie Sykes, president of Bishop State Community College, is a native of Meridian, Mississippi, where he graduated from Meridian High School. He earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Jackson State University and his doctorate in school administration from Mississippi State University.

Dr. Sykes was the principal of Southeast Lauderdale Middle School for five years and director of the East Mississippi Center for Educational Development at Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus for one year. He served as dean of students at Meridian Community College for seven years, dean of student services at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College – Jefferson Davis Campus for one year, vice president of Jefferson Davis Campus for five years, worked for the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, serving as assistant commissioner for community and junior college relations, and before being appointed as president of Bishop State Community College, he served as president of Alabama Southern Community College for nearly six years.

On the state level, Dr. Sykes is a past president of the Alabama Community College System Presidents' Association and Secretary of the Alabama Community College Conference Athletic Committee. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Mobile and the Atmore Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, fishing and playing golf. Dr. Sykes resides in Mobile, Alabama.

"I'm excited to be part of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council Leadership program. This program will provide athletes an opportunity to participate in different activities that will enhance their student-athlete experience." Dr. Sykes

Vice-Chair - Cara Crosslin - Athletic Director - Shelton State Community College

Cara E. Crosslin, originally from Tuscumbia, Alabama, is the Shelton State Community College Athletic Director.  A 1993 graduate of Muscle Shoals High School, Crosslin was a 1998 graduate of the University of Alabama and obtained a Master's Degree from the University of Alabama in Educational Leadership. While at Alabama, Crosslin played basketball from 1993-1997, including being a member of the 1994 Final Four team.

Crosslin taught and coached high school girls' sports for many years before becoming a high school athletic director. She has received numerous awards during her career, including Birmingham Metro Basketball and Softball Coach of the Year, 2013 inductee into the Colbert County Sports Hall of Fame, a 2019 inductee into the Muscle Shoals High School Sports Hall of Fame, ACCC Athletic Director of the Year in 2020.

"This initiative is a great way to teach life skills and empower our student athletes to be the best they can be.  It will equip them with the soft skills needed to grow into kind serving leaders, which are skills not always taught in books or the walls of our institutions" Cara Crosslin

Vice-Chair - Ben Hicks - Head Men's Basketball Coach - Chattahoochee Valley Community College 

Ben Hicks, a native of Phenix City, Alabama, is entering his 19th year of coaching. He presently serves as the Head Men's Basketball Coach/Faculty at Chattahoochee Valley Community College. Before serving in this role, he served in numerous coaching positions to include: Head Men's Basketball Coach/Faculty at Georgia Southwestern State University; Assistant Men's Basketball Coach at Columbus State University, Jacksonville State University, and Chattahoochee Valley Community College; and Athletic Director and Head Men's Basketball Coach at the former Alabama Southern Community College (Coastal Alabama Community College).  

During his coaching career, Hicks accomplishments included the Peach Belt Conference Championship, participation in the NCAA National Tournament, and ACCC state playoffs. Because of Hicks accomplishments, he received the Birmingham Tip Off Club's Glen Clem/Junior College Coach of the Year Award and the ACCC Coach of the Year award for two consecutive years.  Hicks is dedicated to public service in the community and devotes his time participating in service projects in the Chattahoochee Valley communities. 

Dr. Ritchie Dulaney - Head Volleyball and Men's and Women's Tennis Coach, Chair - Health and Physical Education - Coastal Alabama Community College, Bay Minette

A veteran of 32 seasons as a head coach—six years at the University of South Alabama and 26 years at Faulkner State Community College/ Coastal Alabama — Dr. Ritchie Dulaney has guided the Sun Chief Volleyball team to 432 wins and 349 losses. While leading the Men's tennis team to 4 National Appearances (2006, 2008, 2009 and 2015). Both Men and Women's Tennis teams received academic honors in 2019.

Coach Dulaney is a graduate of McGill-Toolen High School where her volleyball team won the state title three out of four years. She was also a member of the basketball team which won two state titles, the track team which won a state title, and the tennis team. She was on the Big 8 All Conference team in 1981, 1983, and 1985.  University of Missouri was nationally ranked #15 in 1983.  She was female athlete of the year by Phi Sigma Theta in 1982. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, a master's degree from the University of South Alabama, and a doctorate degree from the University of Nova Southeastern.

Her first coaching job was at the University of South Alabama where she was named Coach of the Year for the Sun Belt Conference in 1987, and where she held the record for the most wins for many years. She was named Coach of the Year for the ACCC (NJCAA Region 22) in 2010, 2012, and 2013.  She was named NJCAA District P Coach of the Year in 2012.  In 2012 the volleyball team finished 27-9 and was the ACCC runner-up.  The 2012 season marked the first national appearance by Faulkner State.

She is also currently serving as the chairperson of the Health Physical Education Department.

Ex-Officio Members - Dean Myrick - ACCC Commissioner

Dr. Michelle Ivey - Athletic Director, Region 22 Women's Director - Marion Military Institute

Dr. Ryan Spry - Director of Student and Campus Services - Region 22 Men's Director - Wallace Community College-Dothan

Kathleen Thompson - Athletic Director, Math Instructor, Region 22 Assistant Director - Central Alabama Community College