DETROIT (9/13/12) – University of Detroit Mercy men's basketball assistant coach Jay Smith along with junior guard Ray McCallum recently took time out of their busy schedules to speak at a Leadership Conference on Sunday, Sept. 9 for Hudsonville High School students.

The conference was held to cover the five core values of leadership, how to lead when not a captain and how to be a great teammate.

Smith, who has coached in two NCAA Final Fours, discussed what it means to be a leader and what it takes to become one. “Young leaders have to make good decisions all the time,” stated Smith. “Every time one steps on the court he or she needs to be thinking of what they can do to help their teammates.”

McCallum, the 2012 Horizon League championship game MVP and a Lou Henson All-America selection, discussed what it takes to be a student-athlete and what leadership means to him. “I really enjoyed going out there and speaking about leadership,” said McCallum. “I thought it was good for them to hear about becoming a leader and making the transition into college. It's always an honor to have the opportunity to spread my knowledge and experiences on to younger students.”

"It was an honor and privilege to have Jay Smith and Ray McCallum both speak to our student athletes about leadership and the impact they can have on their team, school and community,” said Kevin Wolma the Athletic Director at Hudsonville High School. “Their message was simple, yet powerful, and will leave a lasting effect on our athletic program."