RENO, Nev. – Nevada Athletics Senior Associate Athletic Director, Development and External Craig Fink has been selected to participate in the 2021 TopConnect Leadership Institute, scheduled to begin May 18.

TopConnect (formerly Villa 7) was established in 2003 by Dr. Richard Sander, at the time the athletic director at VCU. It identifies the top basketball assistant coaches and senior level athletics administrators in the country and provides them the necessary skills and relationships to assist them on their career path.

Fink, who serves as Nevada's men's basketball sport administrator among his day-to-day responsibilities, is in his second season with Nevada Athletics. Fink came on board in fall 2019 after spending the previous eight years at UNC Greensboro, most recently as UNCG's Senior Associate Athletic Director for Advancement and Chief Revenue Officer.

He has also had stints at Eastern Michigan, Brown, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy over a collegiate administrative career which has spanned over 20 years. In addition, Fink spent four years at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, coordinating Enshrinement Ceremonies in 1998 and 1999.

Fink will be among a group of 26 coaches and administrators at the event. The TopConnect Leadership Institute is the most exclusive program offered by the organization, and is for experienced and successful assistant basketball coaches and senior level athletic administrators who have been identified and recommended by athletic directors across the nation.

The program has been designed to provide the selected attendees the extra edge or advantage to both acquire their leadership opportunity and be successful in their leadership role. Being held over a four-month span, TopConnect Leadership Institute is built off the annual symposiums and will allow for a more in-depth curriculum with leadership discussions, activities, and networking opportunities.

TopConnect Leadership Institute participants will be awarded a leadership certificate of achievement from East Tennessee State University upon the completion of the program.

Since its inception in 2018, fourteen attendees have been hired as Athletic Director, Head Men's Basketball Coach or Head Women's Basketball Coach.