Learning How to Be Transformational

If you’ve ever had a transformational coach or teammate, you remember that person throughout your life. You might even use lessons that the coach taught you for the game–cheering for your teammates while on the bench, running hard all the way past first base, keeping positive even when your team is down–in life.

 

That’s what BCSD’s Athletic Director Dean Berardo, BHS coaches Kristen Ohberg and Ed Mulvihill and BHS athletes Kaitlyn Mulvihill and Luke Cunningham went to learn at the InSideOut Initiative at MetLife Stadium last week. The Initiative, which has partnered with 20 NFL teams across 17 states, works with school communities to create transformational change in interscholastic athletics and highlights the importance of leadership in sports that can lead to life skills in the real world.

 

“It’s all about whether or not you want to be a transactional coach and just worried about wins and losses or whether or not you want to be a transformational coach and develop the whole person,” explained Dean Berardo, “The message is simple but powerful.”

 

Being connected to the NFL and Giants, comes with perks for the InsideOut Initiative. When they got there, attendees got free merch, walked out around the stadium, and got to talk to Giants’ great linebacker Carl Banks who spoke about the importance of leadership in and out of sports.

 

Kaitlyn Mulvihill, who is a senior, and captain of the Varsity lacrosse team and a member of the dance team explained, “the main mission of the initiative is to highlight the importance of leadership in sports that can lead to life skills in the real world. We learned how to develop respect between teammates but the main thing I learned was about purpose. I hope to take the things that I learned at the initiative to transform my culture. Mindset and attitude are huge in lacrosse just like most sports so I want to try to help my teammates in any way I can.”

 

After leadership sessions, BHS coaches and athletes broke into discussion groups with 30 other section one athletic directors, coaches and athletes. They discussed how to develop respect between teammates and created purpose statements based on core values.

 

Brewster Athletics has an acronym which aligns with what InsideOut is teaching–B.E.A.R.S: Better everyday; Embrace challenges; Accountability to self and team; Resilience; Strong by preparing to be the best physically and mentally–believe in yourself. Go Bears!