Spring Break
Zips benefit from sports psychologist
More leadership from both players and coaches results in more focus, energy
Vincent Dorsey
Issue date: 8/27/07 Section: Sports
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Excitement and expectations surrounding the Zips' football team were at a program-high at the start of the 2006 season.
After a thrilling 24-21 come-from-behind victory at North Carolina State in the second week of the season, Akron went 4-6 the remainder of the season, which ended with the Zips being shut out in the season finale against Western Michigan, 17-0 at the Rubber Bowl.
University of Akron players and coaches were left disappointed and wondering what went wrong.
Head coach J.D. Brookhart said numerous times last winter and spring that a lack of consistent leadership was a factor in the team's struggles.
"I think the consistency with the leadership council was not as good last year and that is on me," Brookhart said.
Along with accepting blame, Brookhart set out to turn one of the team's weaknesses in 2006 to one of the team's strengths in 2007.
Last spring, the coaching staff invited renowned sports psychologist Joseph Carr for a two-week stay to work with the Zips on improving their team-building and leadership skills.
Carr's message was poignant and had a lasting impact on the team, Brookhart said.
"He brought out a lot of things that were painful to hear as a coach and player, but things that needed to be said and brought out in the open," he said.
The Zips' fourth-year head coach also recommitted himself to strengthening his bond with his leadership council. This year's leadership council is comprised mostly of seniors.
Zips senior starting defensive lineman Jared Cecchetti, a member of the leadership council, said that the player representatives discuss aspects of the team that aren't typically visible to coaches.
"We go up there and give Coach a lot of insight on what's going on behind the scenes - what Coach can't see, what's going on in the locker room and all that," Cecchetti said. "It's great that we're doing that, because it brings the team closer together."
Brookhart has already seen benefits from the meetings with the leadership council coming into this season.
After a thrilling 24-21 come-from-behind victory at North Carolina State in the second week of the season, Akron went 4-6 the remainder of the season, which ended with the Zips being shut out in the season finale against Western Michigan, 17-0 at the Rubber Bowl.
University of Akron players and coaches were left disappointed and wondering what went wrong.
Head coach J.D. Brookhart said numerous times last winter and spring that a lack of consistent leadership was a factor in the team's struggles.
"I think the consistency with the leadership council was not as good last year and that is on me," Brookhart said.
Along with accepting blame, Brookhart set out to turn one of the team's weaknesses in 2006 to one of the team's strengths in 2007.
Last spring, the coaching staff invited renowned sports psychologist Joseph Carr for a two-week stay to work with the Zips on improving their team-building and leadership skills.
Carr's message was poignant and had a lasting impact on the team, Brookhart said.
"He brought out a lot of things that were painful to hear as a coach and player, but things that needed to be said and brought out in the open," he said.
The Zips' fourth-year head coach also recommitted himself to strengthening his bond with his leadership council. This year's leadership council is comprised mostly of seniors.
Zips senior starting defensive lineman Jared Cecchetti, a member of the leadership council, said that the player representatives discuss aspects of the team that aren't typically visible to coaches.
"We go up there and give Coach a lot of insight on what's going on behind the scenes - what Coach can't see, what's going on in the locker room and all that," Cecchetti said. "It's great that we're doing that, because it brings the team closer together."
Brookhart has already seen benefits from the meetings with the leadership council coming into this season.
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