Through a grant program that allowed MCPS to select five schools to receive leadership training for student athletes, MCPS worked in partnership with Lead ‘Em Up- a nationally recognized leadership & character organization dedicated to “developing athletes into the leaders needed to win on and off the field.” Lead ‘Em Up was founded by Watkins Mill High School graduate Adam Bradley.
Five MCPS high schools participated- Albert Einstein, Springbrook. Northwood, Kennedy, and Watkins Mill. Most of the trainings were facilitated in the schools by Lead Em Up’s Leon Thurston. Each of the five schools were provided the opportunity to experience two core features of the Lead ‘Em Up program: in-person Campus Days and access to the dynamic online Lead ‘Em Up curriculum for on-going leadership development.
Throughout all the training, the student-athletes engaged in learning and exercises focused on developing and enhancing the following:
- Self-Awareness and
- Self-Management
- Interpersonal
Communication Skills - Cultivating Stronger
Relationships - Greater Peer-To-Peer
Accountability - Healthier Habit
Formation - Mental Focus and
Readiness
Each school had the opportunity to experience two in-person Campus Days. A Campus Day consists of 4-hours of in-person teaching where teams and student-athletes get to participate in a variety of trainings and workshops.
Each coach in the school received access to our online Lead ‘Em Up Curriculum. The curriculum gives coaches access to training, professional development and over 40+ teaching exercises for them to facilitate with the student athletes. The online curriculum allows for on-going training and development to continue with the student-athletes all season long. The coaches were trained and instructed to complete 12 Lead ‘Em Up sessions throughout the season. The online curriculum allowed access for over 1750 student-athletes to experience leadership and character training. Below are a few quotes from MCPS coaches on the training:
“Adding the Lead ‘Em Up (Green) Standards through our on-going sessions benefited our student athletes immensely. The Lead ‘Em Up activities always pushed the student-athletes out of their comfort zone allowing them to learn a lot about themselves and each other.” – Coach Mogge, Northwood Basketball
“The excitement positive energy of the trainings were contagious and the student-athletes left each session with a purpose. It was incredible.” – Marco Fuggiti, Northwood AD
“It was an incredible experience for our student-athletes to experience the Lead ‘Em Up Campus Days. The energy and enthusiasm of the Lead ‘Em Up staff did an amazing job engaging our student-athletes.
Each student-athlete received practical and relative teaching that allowed them to walk away with tools to better lead themselves and their teammates.
And the athletes being able to experience the training alongside their teammates produced even greater momentum as the players carried the learnings with them throughout the season.” -Lisa Magness, Watkins Mill AD