STUDENT LEADERSHIP IN SPORTS

Larry Bird once said,  “leadership is diving for a loose ball, getting the crowd involved, getting other players involved.” Every successful team has to have good leadership. Moreover, this leadership does not just involve the coaches of the team, but also the players or captains of a team. 

A vital part of any sports team here at Springfield are the captains. Usually upperclassmen, coaches rely on these captains to lead their respective teams during the games and practices and exemplify the qualities of a productive student-athlete off the field. Coaches will rely on captains to help explain drills to underclassmen, lead their team during the game, and help teammates with any issues on the field. 

Seniors as a whole are significantly valued as proven and experienced leaders in Springfield sports. Their responsibilities differ depending on which team they play for or represent. 

One such leader, Martin Corcoran (Class of 2023), acknowledged some of his responsibilities as a leader for the indoor track team were “cheering on and supporting my teammates.” Furthermore, Corcoran expressed how in the case of a teammate having a question, he’d “be sure to answer to the best of [his] ability.” Sometimes Martin would also be “responsible for getting pizza at the meets.” 

There is no doubt that coaches place significant value on captains. To build a successful program that makes incoming freshmen want to join, encouraging captains are needed. Due to similar age and attending school together, captains can also have more personal relationships with teammates than maybe a coach would. This connection can make athletes feel more comfortable and respected on their team and allows them to keep their focus on the field. 

Other captains, like Martin, face similar challenges and work to help their teams. Overall, the coaches place significant value in all members of the team and hope to watch the captains grow as strong leaders that will have a strong impact on the world after they are finished at Springfield.