Installing a Leadership Academy Into Your Football Program

Daniel Lowndes

As a coach we talk to our players every school year about leadership. We tell our players that by choosing to play on a football team you become part of a group that can have a big impact on a school culture. I feel that this is true with football because of the sense of a shared mission and overcoming adversity. There is something special about football and the strength of the bonds created between teammates. These bonds often times keep players together in big groups on campus, which lends to them being viewed as having a large impact on the school environment. If a team considers themselves to be leaders and focus on positive attributes they can have a big impact on school culture.



Working at the school where I coach I get to see my players as students. At school many players are physical, confident, and rowdy. These attributes are positive on a team and can be viewed as either a positive or a negative in school. In order for players to be viewed in a positive light at school they must learn to focus their energy and attention, A football team can help to create a positive environment at school. Where players choose to focus their energy will be recognized by the school staff regardless of whether it is good or bad.



I feel that by creating a class that helps athletes recognize positive leadership traits it can have a positive impact on a school culture. As I said before because of their energy levels and the fact that they hang out together teams will impact schools in a positive or negative way. By understanding leadership roles and the responsibility they entail players can be positive influences on a school climate.



We have a short class period at the end of our school day called and ELO. ELO stands for extended Learning Opportunity. In the past we have focused on a weight training class. While I think that weight training is important, I would like to offer a class called Leadership in Sports on alternating quarters. ELO is a time where we can provide focus on the impact student athletes have on a school community.



In this class we can study examples of leadership from athletics. One of my favorite announcements and titles each football season is the Walter Payton Man of the Year award. I love hearing the stories of the players and what they have done for their respective communities. In this class I would love to present material to teach leadership through sports and have students focus on studying an athlete that they view as a community leader. Many kids put professional athletes in high regard and I would like them to place emphasis on the character of the athletes not just the physical accomplishments.



I will promote this class to my players but it will be available to any student who signs up. If we want our team to have a positive impact on the school community it is important for them to embrace the whole community. Teams build community with their teammates throughout the season. I want to expand their sense of community and influence outside of the team and into the whole school.



Focusing on athletes and leadership can be a double edge sword. While it is great to have students research and respect players like J.J Watt, Chris Long, and Vonn Miller for all of their positive impacts on their community. Many players are also in the media spotlight for negative actions like abusive behavior, drugs, and selfish behavior. Athletes are human and humans make mistakes.Being an athlete can provide a platform for great influence either good or bad. I think it is important for athletes to understand this, so they can focus their influence on the outcome they desire.

Has anyone completed the Focus 3 Leadership training that USA Football is offering at a discounted rate to coaches?