Some Marion High School student-athletes are learning how to be
better leaders in order to help their teams on the field of competition
and improve the world around them.
About 25 student-athletes from various teams at Marion met weekly
this past semester before school to learn about different leadership
concepts.
“The morning sessions taught me a new thing every single week on how
to be good teammate and player both on and off the field,” said Luke
Oliver, who plays both football and soccer.
The student-athlete leadership training was led by Marion’s Director
of Athletics Jamy Bechler. It was a combination of the IHSAA and
NAIA’s Champions of Character programs and Bechler’s own ULeadership
initiative, which promotes the concept of “Leadership Begins with U.”
“Going to the leadership meetings helped me to know that you may not
lead everyone,” said senior football player Noah Graham. “But leading a
few can make a big difference and hopefully create a culture change.”
The leadership sessions last the entire semester. A new group of
student-athletes will begin going through the training course when the
second semester begins. The participants selected are a mix of different
sports and grade levels. One of the hopes is that the underclassmen
will develop leadership abilities that will impact future years.
“I know that as a junior next year I will need to step up my
leadership for my Lady Giants soccer team”, said soccer player Abby
Eltzroth. “What I have learned in these meetings will be extremely
beneficial in helping me make my team and teammates better. I am excited
to see my servant leadership style put into action.”
This is Bechler’s first year at Marion High School after spending
nearly 20 years at the college level. Most recently, he was the
assistant athletic director and head women’s basketball coach at Martin
Methodist College. His team was awarded the 2014 NAIA Champions of
Character Team Award for their service and leadership. Bechler
understands that coaches need not only talented athletes but good
leaders to help the team achieve its’ potential.
“If our student-athletes can learn to be better leaders and develop
stronger character then they will be more productive athletes, students
and individuals in general,” said Bechler. “As coaches, we spend so much
time working on plays, developing skills and game strategy that we
forget about the intangibles. A team of positive leaders can go a long
way.”
“The leadership training has provided us and our athletes a chance to
do more than just practice and compete,” said veteran track and cross
country coach Terry Lakes. “It has provided us with skills that are life
long and will help our athletes cope with whatever life throws at
them.”
Bechler looks forward to a new group of student-athletes to work with
during the second semester and as well as how the first semester group
begins to work within their teams.
“I have enjoyed these weekly meetings a great deal,” said Bechler.
“We have had some honest talks and I think the student-athletes have had
the opportunities to understand some different perspectives on things.
It is exciting to see the student-athletes volunteer to come in early
before school and engage in learning different leadership concepts.”
Additionally, Marion is participating in the IHSAA’s Five-Star
Leadership Challenge for the first time. This consists of various
elements that schools must fulfill in order to earn the distinction of a
Five-Star Leadership School. Among the obligations is to do community
service, display consistent sportsmanship and meet with parents about
various character and sportsmanship issues. Each IHSAA member school has
a sportsmanship scorecard. Currently, Marion has a perfect 100 out of
100 score after the fall sports season.
Jamy Bechler is the executive director of U-Leadership and a John Maxwell Certified Leadership Speaker and Coach. Contact him at CoachBechler@CoachBechler.com to find out how you or your team can be more successful. Click here to signup for THE ENCOURAGING NEWSLETTER
Jamy Bechler is the executive director of U-Leadership and a John Maxwell Certified Leadership Speaker and Coach. Contact him at CoachBechler@CoachBechler.com to find out how you or your team can be more successful. Click here to signup for THE ENCOURAGING NEWSLETTER
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