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Leadership Lessons

October 16, 2009

When lists are compiled of the benefits of participation in school sports, almost always included is that sports provide practical, real-life leadership lessons for many participants.  Can we be sure about that?

A long look back at the history of sport in America identifies this same trend on all levels of sports:  fewer decisions are being made by the players on the field or court, and more decisions are being made by coaches on the sidelines or in the press boxes.  This is inevitable, given the advancements in technology for scouting, breaking down “film” and communication during games.  But does it undermine some opportunities for leadership lessons through sports?

To undercut the perhaps unavoidable trend toward lost leadership opportunities, the MHSAA has been increasing its athletic-oriented student leadership programs.  For example:

  • The statewide Women in Sports Leadership Conference, since 1989 and now conducted every other year, with WISL mini-grants to support local programs in the “off” years.
  • Twenty Team Captains Clinics, in partnership with leagues and conferences, since 2005, as well as mini-grants to support even more local student leadership initiatives.

Now a Team Captain’s Guide has been published by the MHSAA.  The booklet is a project of the MHSAA Student Advisory Council and is being distributed in quantities to all member schools free of charge.  The project has generous support from the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and the Michigan High School Coaches Association.  Click here for the announcement and further information.

For more information, visit the Training and Education pages of MHSAA.com.  Another good resource for promoting and nurturing student-athlete leadership is highschoolsportsleader.com.

 

Posted in: Student Services
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About the Author

Jack Roberts

Jack Roberts has been at the helm of the MHSAA as its Executive Director since 1986, implementing programs and overseeing tournament administration and regulations for the Association which boasts 1,600 member schools, 13,000 registered officials and 13,000 head coaches.

During the last 38 years, Roberts has spoken to educator and athletic groups, business leaders and civic groups in more that 40 states and five Canadian provinces as one of the nation's most articulate advocates for school sports.

Roberts has served on several national association boards and is board president for the Refugee Development Center, chair elect for the board of directors of the Michigan Society of Association Executives, and head of the East Lansing Arts Festival  50th Anniversary Celebration.

He is a 1970 graduate of Dartmouth College, where he was a three-year starter for the Ivy League's winningest football team during that span.

His wife, Peggy is coordinator of the Power of We Consortium. They are passionate world travelers and have two grown sons: John, who is pursuing a doctoral degree in education policy at Harvard; and Luke, who - with his wife, Alison - are teaching in China.