Setting the Tone: The Process of Becoming a Leader
- Oct 20, 2017
- 4 min read
Graphic by E. Hawkins
Photos by M. Fingerson
Leadership takes time, as does the respect earned and dedication to be named a captain of the Carthage College Men’s Soccer Team.
Upon arriving in August, the Red Men saw a number of changes throughout the lakefront; from the renovation of Art Keller Field to new game uniforms. 2017 has shown a focus on a new look. Included among the list of new looks was the approach to leadership on the team.
By the beginning of Spring 2017, the Red Men were at a crossroads with the graduation of All-American and 2016 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Player of the Year Austin Bitta, and the Queens Park Rangers FC signing of 2016 Most Valuable Player Giles Phillips. These two were among other players who the Red Men lost to graduation following the 2016 season.
In addition to Junior Kevin Mahoney, Bitta and Phillips were the team captains who lead the Red Men towards a 10-0 run in the conference, winning the season and tournament titles in 2016. Their 10-0 run was a historic feat which was previously unheard of in the CCIW.
It would have been stressful for any team to think of what the new season would be like without these contenders. Players who could uphold the tradition of success, while remaining motivated to commit to practices and guide younger players.
“There’s a duality as a player and a captain. As a captain, you have an expectation to be the positive one, to speak up and be a leader in practice, on and off the field,” said Mahoney.
However, what other teams might not have anticipated was the resurgence of leadership in the off-season. At the conclusion of Spring training, following a vote by the team and deliberation from coaches, the executive decision was made to name junior Adrian Herrera, and seniors Jamie Tausend and Johnny Rimkus captains alongside Mahoney.
For Adrian Herrera, the 2016 CCIW Newcomer of the Year and Second-Team All-CCIW Recipient, the transition was seen personally as unconventional. However, it is still a tremendous privilege following his first season with the Red Men as a transfer from Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville.
"I had never been considered a leader before so it's been a huge honor to be called a captain with it being my second year in. I'm grateful to be in that position, especially seeing that my relationships with my teammates hasn't changed from last year," said Herrera.
For Mahoney, the decision of these three being named the successors to Bita and Phillips was clear.
“With Adrian receiving the same accolades as Giles in his first season, Jamie knowing how to get the job done, and Johnny being good on the ball and having a great attitude, it made the three together the ideal fit for replacements,” said Mahoney.
A captain in his time at Carthage, assistant coach Filip Dyminski, has full confidence these four are a quartet who can succeed. With each person having a different quality, the group is greater than the sum of its parts. Each player embraces the responsibilities of being a captain making leadership on the team stronger.
“Kevin is ambitious, comical, talks to everyone on the team, and is an instrumental part of the team spending time together and being as close as they are. Jamie has been an instrumental part of our success in the past three seasons and he knows how to be a leader and his actions on the field speak volumes about the kind of person he is. Adrian is hard nosed, very vocal, positive, and the first one to lift the other guys up especially after a loss. Johnny is another great person, who is a top forward, and makes those phenomenal finishes we need,” said Dyminski.
"The best part for me, is that being a captain is challenging and you get to watch that evolve. I have never instructed a captain to be a certain way; It's the team. I don't over coach, and allow them to run with it," explained Head Coach Steve Domin.
This season, the quartet has lead the team to 10-6-2 record as of October 22, a record against a number of high profile teams, including the CCIW (3-2-1). With three first-time captains, the four understand the importance of staying focused.
“You walk into season wanting to win conference, go to the NCAA tournament, win a championship and we had set a high bar for ourselves with the season we had last year. It’s not so much the goals have changed, but rather the mentality in how we execute our goals,” said Tausend.
As the season progresses, so does the standard in leadership. The leadership styles of these four are a diverse mix, but the goal of celebrating the differences and bringing the team together is what matters above all else.
“If a captain is going to be a captain, they are picked because of their actions – these four do a great job setting an example and building that camaraderie for the team and we couldn’t be prouder of what they’re doing,” said Dyminski.
It is the differing styles and actions of leadership which develop over time, that make the title of captain earned, not given.
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