Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Athletics Leadership Program to Debut in Fall
8/5/2011 8:00:00 AM | General
Aug. 5, 2011
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell director of athletics and recreation John Hardt has announced that the Department has reached an agreement with the Janssen Sports Leadership Center to provide Bison student-athletes with a formal leadership development program beginning this fall. As part of a Patriot League-wide leadership initiative, this "Leadership Summit" is designed to help student-athletes learn how to be effective leaders on and off the playing fields.
"Both Bucknell and the Patriot League have a longstanding commitment to the student-athlete model, which emphasizes intellectual engagement and personal development among college athletes," said Bucknell University President John Bravman. "The Leadership Summit provides a special opportunity for our student-athletes to build skills and confidence that will help them in many ways on campus and throughout their lives. We look forward to the ways in which participants will apply what they learn and contribute to their professions and communities in the years ahead."
"At Bucknell, our intercollegiate athletics program embraces and reflects the University's mission, core values and educational goals," said Hardt. "Leadership development is one of the many important opportunities that is inherent in athletics. Cultivating great leadership is of critical importance, as it not only contributes to the success of our teams, but the benefits of becoming a great leader ultimately will extend well beyond the practice and playing fields and last a lifetime. Developing outstanding leadership skills has long been a priority within Bison athletics, and in that regard, I am excited about the prospects of our student-athletes' interactions with the Janssen Sports Group as they work to develop and improve their leadership skills."
"The Patriot League believes in the motto of `today's scholar-athletes, tomorrow's leaders,' and the program through Janssen Sports will provide a unique platform for student-athletes to further their growth into leadership roles," said Carolyn Schlie Femovich, executive director of the Patriot League. "We remain committed to providing student-athletes an opportunity to achieve their potential academically and athletically while preparing to become leaders and make meaningful contributions to society."
This fall, between 40-60 student-athletes from all Bison varsity sports programs will attend a highly engaging and interactive Foundational Leadership workshop. Then during the spring semester, Advanced Leadership workshops will be conducted in two sessions, one for approximately 30 "veteran" leaders from the junior and senior classes, and another for approximately 30 "emerging" leaders from the sophomore and junior classes.
In addition to the student-athlete retreats, accompanying coaches programs will also be held to show coaches how to best develop, select and partner with their team leaders.
The primary goal for emerging leaders will be preparation, including the following objectives:
• Identify and develop high potential leaders in their sophomore or junior years
• Help young best athletes become best leaders
• Create strong leaders by example and set the stage for developing vocal leaders
• Build a strong peer support network for aspiring leaders
• Develop leaders who support and learn from current team captains/leaders
• Practice leading self, their class, and below
• Succession Planning - smoothly replace graduating leaders
Meanwhile, the primary goal for veteran leaders is application, highlighted by the following objectives:
• Encourage veteran leaders to step up and be vocal leaders
• Establish a solid, cooperative and ongoing partnership with the coaching staff
• Teach and apply the insights and skills necessary to be a responsible and respected leader
• Provide veteran leaders with ongoing coaching and support as they tackle the tough issues of team leadership
• Provide veteran leaders with a solid peer network for guidance and support
• Provide veteran leaders with highly marketable leadership skills for a lifetime
Additionally, as part of the program, the Bucknell Athletics will be providing designated student-athletes with a Team Captain's Leadership Manual as well as memberships to the TeamCaptainsNetwork.com Web site.
Bucknell sponsors 27 intercollegiate sports at the Division I level. It is a charter member of the Patriot League and has won the league's all-sports championship in 17 of the 21 years it has been contested, including 2010-11. Bucknell ranks fifth in Division I in producing Academic All-Americans and annually ranks among the national leaders in the graduation rate of its student-athletes.
