Bucknell Student-Athletes Attend Gettysburg Leadership Experience

Gallery: (8-24-2021) Gettysburg Leadership Experience

LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Ten selected Bucknell student-athlete leaders recently had the opportunity to attend the Gettysburg Leadership Experience, in partnership with Academy Leadership. This unique program, which was sponsored by the Patriot League, combines a historic Gettysburg battlefield tour while focusing on key leadership lessons learned during the famous Civil War battle. Participants were then given an opportunity to start developing their own leadership philosophy while receiving feedback in real time.

Representing Bucknell in Gettysburg were:

Matthew Barkauskas (Men's Lacrosse)
Aiden Brewer (Men's Track & Field)
Michaela Bracken (Women's Track & Field)
Christina DeMola (Women's Rowing)
Karly Forker (Women's Cross Country/Track & Field)
Juliette Gaggini (Women's Rowing)
Austin Odell (Baseball)
Michael Owen (Men's Tennis)
Sahana Paravantavida (Women's Golf)
Brett Zatlin (Men's Track & Field)

During the first day of the program, student-athletes were able to identify some key elements of leadership and how to successfully lead their teams, through the guidance of Lt. Gen. Robert Caslen, former superintendent of the United States Military Academy. Leadership themes that were discussed included: peer leadership, leading by example, building trust, establishing a purpose, effective communication, the importance of character, and more. As Karly Forker observed, "It is important to establish a purpose, and get everyone to stand behind that purpose. Once you get your team to understand the purpose, they will do whatever it takes to overcome all the obstacles in their way to reach their goals." The stage was then set for a tour of historic Gettysburg by historian Chris Rebmann.

The second day was spent walking the grounds of Gettysburg, stopping at battlefield sites while discussing key leadership decisions made by the war commanders. Following are some of the leadership moments from each day of the battle that were examined by the group

Day 1 (July 1, 1863) - The Improvised Battle
• Conveying Leader's Intent
• Taking Charge
• Relying on Subordinates to Assess and Make Critical Decisions
• Losing Sight of the Objective
• Synchronizing Assets
• Strategy vs. Execution

Day 2 (July 2, 1863) - The Orchestrated Battle
• Communicating Effectively
• Role of the Individual in Shaping Events
• Viewing the Tactical Battlefield
• Strategy vs. Execution

Day 3 (July 3, 1863) - Act of Desperation or Coordinated Attack?
• Communicating Intent
• Activity Doesn't Equate to Progress
• Leadership by Example
• Taking Responsibility
• Strategy vs. Execution

"Hearing the different leadership styles of different Civil War generals was really interesting and opened my eyes to different ways you can be a leader based on who you're leading," said Juliette Gaggini. "Being able to listen to stories and experiences brought the leadership lessons and takeaways to life."

During the third and final morning, the student-athletes were able to start developing their own personal leadership philosophy. Bill Blackburn guided the student-athletes through the process and aided them in thinking critically about themselves as leaders, what that looks like, and how to get their team involved and on board. Michael Owen reflected that, "The leadership philosophy and its principles are something that can be applied throughout life, and I am grateful to have learned this and will implement it upon returning to campus."

The experience in general was a unique way for student-athletes to learn more about leadership and how to connect it to themselves as leaders in their personal and athletic lives.

Bucknell University Athletics

Bucknell Student-Athletes Attend Gettysburg Leadership Experience

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