Blue Devils Hold Winter Season Captain’s Academy

Blue Devil winter season varsity team captains are in place for ten separate sports teams. After coaches announced their 2024/25 captains, the athletic department held a Captain’s Academy in the Huntington High School library last week.

Officials have grown concerned that the position of team captain has become increasingly ceremonial in nature and lacks a clear purpose and associated responsibilities.

Athletic officials worked with varsity girls’ lacrosse head coach Katie Reilly to develop the Captain’s Academy program. Ms. Reilly, who is the Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School dean, took the lead in presenting the one hour evening program. The athletic department provided the captains with dinner.

Coach Reilly opened the session by stressing that “leadership is an action, not a position.” The group went on to discuss that a “captain” is not just a title, it plays a key role in preventing hazing and bullying, creating a positive atmosphere and experience for the entire team and enhancing Huntington’s reputation through fair play.

Coach Reilly led a discussion on the following concept: “You don’t inspire your teammates by showing them how amazing you are. You inspire them by showing them how amazing they are.”

The captains were asked to identify what kind of leadership they provide based on the following descriptive words: Positive, hardworking, supportive, encouraging, resilient, inclusive, communicative, trustworthy, able to receive feedback and good character.

The teenage leaders were asked: “What is expected of you?” The discussion went like this:

Lead by example: Your attitude, work ethic and ability to receive feedback is noticed by all. Set a good example.

Do thankless jobs: You will be a servant leader. You are not here to have underclassmen do the work. You serve this team.

Stand up for others: Hazing is a huge problem in sports. You will stand up for your teammates, not be the one leading the ridicule. Embrace the difference of your teammates.

Hold your teammates to a high standard: In an empowering way, push your teammates to be the best they can be.

Inspire: Remind your teammates that every day counts. All seasons are finite; play every day like it’s your last. You don’t have to, you get to.

Support: Pay attention to your teammates. Reach out to them when they are struggling.

“Are you willing to be the Huntington captain we need?” Coach Reilly asked. “Being a leader is a tough job. It requires effort. It requires doing things that others don’t want to do. It’s about putting the team before yourself and instilling that value in every teammate. You have to be selfless. You have to be willing to do the right thing, even when other’s aren’t. Leadership isn’t about controlling others, but showing them why they want to work hard and do the right thing. Captains must be liaisons to the coaches. If something needs to be elevated for the coach to handle, speak with the coach sooner rather than later.”

The captains were asked to “start here” and Be the hardest worker today; Be a spark of energy and enthusiasm today; Model mental toughness today; Connect with a teammate today; Compliment a teammate today; Help a teammate today; Support a teammate today; Stand up for the right thing today; Build and bond your team today: Speak with your coach today; Represent yourself and your team with class and pride today.”

Before the session ended, the captains were asked to complete a “quality reflection” where they rated themselves on the qualities of positivity, work ethic, support, encouragement, resilience, inclusiveness, communication, trust, modeling and receiving feedback from coaches and character. They were asked to list their three highest rated and three lowest rated qualities. They kept the ratings to themselves.

The winter season captains include:

Girls Basketball: Sabrina Boyle, Lauren Donaghy, Jenna Italiano, Ava McDonald

Boys Basketball: Justin D’Eloia, Jordan Thorbourne, James Vohs

Girls Winter Track & Field: Emma Boyle, Lindsay Depeine, Jamyn Husselbeck, Dana Saramago

Boys Winter Track & Field: Titan Elysee, Carlos Marroquin, Matthew Ross, Eric Heinz, Dominic Mattio

Boys Fencing: Owen Stevens

Girls Fencing: Julia Goodwin

Boys Swimming & Diving: Maximilien Leroy, Gavin Deegan

Boys Wrestling: Thomas Smith

Girls Wrestling: Wynne Franciscovich, Aylin Davila Chitay

Bowling: James Masler