Being a captain is more than a title — at the Oaks Leadership Academy, Lafayette student-athletes learn what it takes to be a leader.
“The academy has helped me learn how to be a leader who inspires others and leads by example,” said junior men’s soccer defender Nicholas Liebich. “It’s about being there for your teammates and being empathetic to what they’re going through. A big part of leadership here is supporting each other, especially when things get tough.”
The program is based on a series of seminars throughout the academic year. Carly Riepenhoff, who works closely with students from her position in Lafayette’s athletics division, wrote in a text message that the academy utilizes “interactive workshops, 360-degree feedback, one-on-one coaching, peer mentoring, supplemental online training and educational resources” in its education.
“During each session, the leader takes us through different exercises which allows us to share our stories, values and beliefs,” said junior field hockey defender Makenzie Switzer.
According to Liebich, the academy’s structure goes beyond athletic performance.
“We talk a lot about how to overcome obstacles in both our athletic and personal lives,” Liebich said. “It’s not always easy to balance everything, but the discussions we have really help us figure out how to deal with it.”
The discussion groups are often made up of athletes with shared experiences.
“Being able to have conversations with leaders on other athletic teams here at Lafayette is really beneficial to realize that we all go through similar experiences,” junior men’s basketball guard Ryan Pettit said. “We get to learn from each other about what may have worked from a leadership standpoint on their respective teams.”
Switzer said that the Academy has helped her reevaluate her position in leadership.
“For me, this program has shown me different sides of leadership, which I previously hadn’t been very good at or found as important, and is allowing me to incorporate new techniques and methods into how I lead myself both on and off the field,” Switzer said.
Previously called the “Lafayette Leadership Academy,” its current iteration was founded in 2011 after a gift made in honor of Wilbur Wilson Oaks ’51 by his daughter and son-in-law.
Liebich said he believes the academy helps student-athletes grow “beyond sports.”
“It really prepares you for life after college, not just for the next game or season,” he said. “The skills we’re developing here will last long after we graduate.”