Posted on 10/24/2019
FHC hosted this year’s Gateway Athletic Conference Sports Education Seminar, which gathered student-athletes from seventeen different schools including FHC, FHHS, and FHN, for a day of learning and discussions. In total, 170 students, 34 coaches, and 17 activity directors attended the event where they had the opportunity to learn about teamwork, college recruitment, and more.
The students heard from various speakers, including FHU teacher and FHC coach Zack Sheets, who served as this year’s keynote speaker. Sheets discussed how to develop character skills and team cohesiveness in the sports setting. FHC sophomore and volleyball player Alexis Arnel shared how the talk dug “deeper into who you are as a player, what your strengths and weaknesses are, and how to become a better teammate and athlete.”
Students also heard from Jed Stugart, the Head Football Coach at Lindenwood University, who provided helpful recruitment tips for potential college student-athletes. Taylor Premer, a performance coach from Winchester Sport and Spine, shared his knowledge on injury prevention and peak performance.
“I hope they find at least one or two things that they can bring back to their teams,” shared FHN activities director Michael Janes. Since many of the student-athletes in attendance play multiple sports, the conference has the opportunity to influence those student leaders, and also hundreds of other students in their schools. Janes also hopes that the seminar encourages students to do some self-reflection. “This day gives them a look at what a true leader looks like,” said Janes.
While the day provided students with some helpful skills and lessons, it also gave them a chance to interact with student-athletes from across the conference. “They can make friends with people they might normally compete against. They can see them outside of the competitive circle,” said FHC activities director Scott Harris. The seminar gave students the space to share their thoughts and also relate to other students and their experiences.
One of Arnel’s favorite and most important lessons that she took from the day touched on community. “We’re all a team. Even if you get pulled out of the game, that’s for somebody else’s benefit. Nothing is to hurt you. It’s to help the team.” That is a valuable lesson in teamwork that students can use both on the field and also in the classroom – to always build each other up and work for the success of others and your team!