UMaine Football Team Completes Army ROTC Black Bear Leadership Challenge Course
Contact: Joe Carr at (207) 581-3571
ORONO, Me. — Strong leadership and teamwork can make the difference between competence and excellence in most pursuits, including football. With their eyes on a Colonial Athletic Association championship, the University of Maine football team recently completed the UMaine Army ROTC leadership basics program.
On Aug. 9, under the strain of heat and physical exhaustion, eight ten-player teams learned new leadership skills by executing the Army ROTC Leader’s Obstacle Course. Players planned their group’s path through the course by considering each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, players used critical thinking and problem-solving skills by answering UMaine football history trivia questions, building a common history, enhancing esprit de corps and further developing pride in the program.
“Just like in the Army, football requires you to be physically fit and able think after you’ve been pushed to the point of physical exhaustion,” says Capt. Darryl W. Lyon, the Army ROTC Enrollment Officer, who was in charge of the event. “The course highlights the team’s outstanding leaders and brings all the players together into a single unit.” Members of the Maine Army National Guard’s Bravo Company 3/172nd Infantry (MTN) ensured the safety of the individual players and provided motivation through out the afternoon.
The course provided a whole new experience for the team and met the coach’s goals: teaching each player how to lead, follow and work as a team.
“This was an exceptional experience for our players. They learned a lot of valuable lessons that they will be able to take out to the field and use to succeed,” says Black Bear Coach Jack Cosgrove, who says he was impressed with the way the groups collaborated to overcome the course.
Note: Photos from this event are available upon request.