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‘Captain’s Academy’ Brings Student-Athletes Together to Explore Leadership Skills

The new program gives student-athletes the opportunity to develop leadership skills in collaboration with other team captains on campus.
What does it take to be a great leader? 
 
For the student-athletes at St. Margaret’s who are team captains on one of the school’s 26 varsity teams, a weekly session with school administrators is exploring that question. 
 
“With more than 80 percent of our Upper School students participating in athletics,” said Dan O’Shea, St. Margaret’s athletics director and head football coach, “we understand that the captains are not just leaders on their teams, but also leaders on our campus.”

This year, St. Margaret’s expanded its leadership training with the launch of the Captain’s Academy. Developed by associate athletic director and head girls basketball coach Josh Markum, the Captain’s Academy brings together in-season team captains to discuss and develop leadership skills and their important role in athletics and across the school. 
 
The student-athletes meet weekly during their season as part of their team-captain duties. The sessions are led by Mr. O’Shea and Mr. Markum, with occasional guest speakers—such as Head of School Dr. Jeneen Graham—sharing insight and encouraging discussion around the responsibilities of leadership and everything it entails.  
 
The meetings have centered around specific themes. Recent topics have included:
  • Communication skills
  • Building a team culture
  • Leading by example
  • Decision-making under pressure
  • Motivation and morale
  • Conflict management
  • Collaborating with coaches
  • Leading through adversity
  • Diversity, inclusion and team unity
Having all the team captains from a variety of sports together provides a valuable forum to share ideas and discuss the responsibilities of their role collectively. The current winter session includes about 15 student-athletes representing boys basketball, girls basketball, cheer, equestrian, boys soccer and girls soccer.
 
“The Captain’s Academy gives our students not only the opportunity to develop leadership skills, but do so in collaboration with other captains on campus,” Mr. Markum said. “Ultimately, that builds a greater bond within the St. Margaret’s community.”
 
While currently meeting in the Upper School during its first year, the Captain’s Academy will soon be part of the programming inside the St. Margaret’s Commons. Opening this summer, the 30,000-square-foot Commons will serve as the heart of the campus and a central hub for health and well-being.
 
Leadership development is a key component of a St. Margaret’s education, as stated in the school’s mission and emphasized in its 2025 Strategic Plan.
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St. Margaret’s Episcopal School

31641 La Novia Avenue
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 661-0108
 
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An Independent Preschool Through Grade 12 College-Preparatory Day School in Orange County California

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St. Margaret's Episcopal School does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, sexual orientation or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational, admission, financial aid, hiring and athletic policies or in other school-administered programs.