Student-Athlete Leadership Council 2026 Has Kicked Off!

Leadership in athletics can take many forms. It can mean setting the tone at practice, communicating with a teammate, responding to adversity, or understanding when to speak up and when to listen. At Germantown Friends School, developing those skills is an important part of the student-athlete experience.

This fall, GFS Athletics brought together the Student-Athlete Leadership Council at Germantown Cricket Club, with multiple representatives from every GFS team across all three athletic seasons. The council provides student-athletes with an opportunity to reflect on what leadership means, learn from one another, and continue growing as leaders on their teams and within their communities.

Throughout the day, students heard from Athletic Director Michael Lintulahti, Head Strength & Conditioning Coach Matt Sheehan, varsity coaches, and members of the Athletic Department. Rather than simply talking to students about leadership, the program encouraged them to examine their own experiences, share their perspectives, and consider the type of leader they hope to become.

Sheehan led one of the day’s interactive exercises, asking students to physically place themselves along a spectrum from “No” to “Yes” in response to a series of prompts. Some were lighthearted — “Does pineapple belong on pizza?” — while others encouraged deeper reflection: “Should coaches expect more from their captains and team leaders?” and “I’m interested in being coached hard.”

The exercise created opportunities for students to see where their peers stood, explain their own perspectives, and recognize that leadership does not always come with one correct answer.
That conversation continued in small groups throughout the day. Student-athletes developed their own definitions of leadership, discussed strategies for handling pressure, shared stories about the best teams they had been a part of, and even selected theme songs that matched their leadership styles. Groups intentionally included both teammates and athletes from different programs, allowing students to learn from experiences beyond their own teams and seasons.

Students also wrote notes to their coaches outlining what they expect from those leading them. The activity reinforced a two-way model of communication: coaches set expectations for their athletes, but strong team cultures also create space for student-athletes to communicate what they need from their coaches. Team leaders can play an important role in strengthening that connection between the players and coaches. Especially during the school year. 

Over lunch and throughout the program, students reflected on note cards, exchanged stories, and received advice and guidance from coaches and Athletic Department staff.

The gathering was only the beginning. The Student-Athlete Leadership Council will meet several times throughout the school year, giving participants opportunities to revisit these conversations, navigate new challenges, and continue developing their leadership skills.

At GFS, leadership is not reserved for the student wearing a captain’s title. It is an opportunity available to any student-athlete willing to listen, reflect, communicate, and put in the work required to positively influence the people around them.