Blog
PowerLead!
Last weekend we held our first “PowerLead” course. These courses will take place every 3-6 weeks or whenever we see fit. Through this course we will be discussing leadership/character, leadership qualities, and how to live them out day-to-day. I’ve wanted to add this to our program for some time now. I recently heard current University of Michigan Strength Coach, Aaron Wellman, speak on leadership as well as a US Marine Sergeant. This gave me the boost to get the ball rolling as it reminded me of the importance of training the mind along with the body. No matter what skill level, every one of our athletes has the potential to lead others and make an impact. I used to believe that only certain people were cut out for leadership roles. Experience has taught me otherwise.
We preach to our athletes all the time that with great strength comes great responsibility. Many coaches/programs can get athletes big and strong. Very few recognize that many athletes need to be taught how to use their strength for purposes other than simply lifting weights or making tackles.
This was exemplified when two of our NFL-prospect athletes also spoke to our athletes at PowerLead. At PowerStrength we’re very fortunate to have older, successful athletes who are QUALITY role models for our younger athletes. Cam White was a D2 All-American at Hillsdale College and Jesse Peterson was an All-Conference lineman from Wheaton College. Cam is a PSTS coach, rehabbing his knee (you would never know he had an injury), and is continuing to train for his shot at the next level. Jesse is training with us for his pro day and combines and is in hot pursuit of making it as a small-school lineman (we know a few small-school NFL lineman already…). Both guys discussed the people who influenced them and how it helped develop their own leadership qualities. They also touched on how leadership varies as you progress through your high school and college teams. Listening to guys who have been where you want to go can be very powerful!
Here are some of the quotes we dove into from Coach Wellman’s leadership presentation…
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“Sociology professor Tony Campolo said, “I am convinced we don’t live in a generation of bad kids. We live in a generation of kids who know too much too soon.”
“Most HS athletes will not go on to play college football. Most college athletes will not go on to play professional football. Our job is to also equip them for life!”
“Nearly all of history’s great failures, have been failures of character!” |
13 Athletes attended the first one of these on a Saturday morning. Our guys really enjoyed it as did our coaches! We’ll be continuing these meetings covering various topics and getting different speakers to help positively influence our athletes and program as a whole. When we say that PSTS is different than your typical training facility, we weren’t kidding.
-Mark
