Leadership Council

Leadership Council Purpose

A leadership council will be implemented for the first time during the 2019 season. Much like collegiate and professional programs, the council will help Peoria Notre Dame’s Football Program grow from within by putting the student-athletes at the forefront of many team decisions. The Council will give players a chance to lead by example and help shape the overall culture of the program. Player feedback is vital and truly valued by the coaching staff. Council Leaders will be taught how to deal with issues concerning fellow teammates and will be given the opportunity to develop a strong working relationship with coaches. This dual investment, made by the coaches and the players, creates greater trust and accountability on both ends, and will foster a better working environment overall. Positions will be selected by the head coach and selected leaders will earn the right to discuss issues with the coaching staff that pertain to player interaction, uniform selection, disciplinary procedures, and other team related topics. The leadership council will consist of ten seniors regardless of position or location on the depth chart.

Leadership Council Selection

Each player interested in serving on the Leadership Council is required to complete a resume and submit it to the head coach by December 15th. Once resumes have been reviewed, interviews will be scheduled for Council Leadership Positions. Resumes will include: Name, email address, cell phone number, sports played with positions, academic honors, athletic honors, career (college and personal) goals and objectives, and team goals and objectives.

Squad Selection

Each of the ten Leadership Council members will select their Squad for the season. Leaders will draft their team like a fantasy football draft in December and will include players from senior, junior, sophomore, and freshman classes. Players from the freshman class will be assigned by the head coach after summer practices begin. Each team will name their Squad utilizing the Virtues of the Week concept to describe their Squad. (Examples: Integrity, Excellence, Service, Faith, Dedication, Family, Teamwork, Perseverance, Sportsmanship, or Respect.)

Individual and Squad Assessments and Challenges

Each Squad will be evaluated weekly. Leaders are responsible for keeping Squad members on track with participation, team events and challenges. All players will be evaluated using a point system below. Points will be added together and tallied individually and by Squad. The use of a players GPA will not be shared, but will be added to team totals by the head coach. NOTE: Players participating in other PND sports will get 1 point for lifting attendance due to participation in another sport as long as they are in good standing.

Coaching Leadership

Leadership Council – The Head Coach will meet with the Leadership Council on a weekly basis. Council Leaders will be expected to provide updates on the progress of the members of their Squad and discuss any potential issues. Leaders will be expected to bring an A and B Option to resolve any issues facing their Squad or the team. The expectation is to bring solutions to the table and not just problems.

Squads – Each Squad will meet with the Head Coach at least once during the season. Squads will be expected to provide feedback and discuss issues related to the team.

Position Coaches – Will rotate and be assigned a different Squad each week of the season. The coach will spend 10 minutes with the Squad either before or after practice. The coach will choose a topic designed to better develop leadership, faith or player development.

Community Service

Each Squad will participate in a minimum of one Community Service Event. Each event will be approved by the Leadership Council in advance. Community Service Events build character and strengthen team bonds while giving back to the school and surrounding community through volunteerism. Service is doing something for somebody else without any expectation of getting anything in return. It is a selfless way for our team to give back to their community.

Future Leader Mentorship Program

Each junior will be assigned as a mentor to one or possibly two freshman as a Big Brother. Big Brothers will be responsible for getting to know each freshman and will provide a support system within the program. Big Brothers should help their Little Brother get adjusted to Peoria Notre Dame and assist them if they are having trouble with football, school, family, or bullying. They are their support system and first line of defense within the football program. During the summer, each Big and Little Brother will be challenged to provide a presentation about their Brother.

Leadership Program Rewards

Each year the selection as a Captain is the ultimate achievement for a player. The leader of the winning Squad will be given an automatic Captain position for the season. The remaining two Captain positions will be voted on by their peers prior to the start of the season. The fourth Captain will continue to be rotated on a weekly basis. The selection of the fourth Captain will be based on Leadership Council performance, leadership within the program, game day performance, and scout team performance during practices. Equipment and Jersey numbers will be issued by class in order of the Squad an individual points accumulated.