Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/578932
One of the key aspects of the experience for Univer- sity of Virginia student-athletes is the team Leadership Councils. These councils, selected by the coaching staffs, are brought together to serve as leaders and liaisons for the student-athletes of their respective teams. They are a conduit to share both concerns and ideas. Head football coach Mike London spoke in fall camp about how the Lead- ership Council impacts his team. "The Leadership Council's part of the culture," he explained. "It's part of the ex- pectation of taking a step further that's going to get you closer to your goals. "Last year, it wasn't enough wins. This year it's sweating the details like how the locker room looks, when you come to meetings don't be two minutes early be five minutes early, stay late if you have to, get extra reps. "Those guys have been there and want something positive to happen at the end of their careers. You can't measure it out on the field, but you can measure in the locker room." The 2015 Leadership Council for foot- ball includes fourth-year offensive guard Ross Burbank, four th-year offensive tackle Jay Whitmire, redshirt third-year quarterback Matt Johns, redshirt fourth- year fullback Vince Croce, fourth-year wide receiver Canaan Severin, third-year tailback Taquan Mizzell, redshirt fourth- year cornerback Demetrious Nicholson, redshirt fourth- year defensive tackle David Dean, fourth-year defensive end Mike Moore, redshirt third-year safety Will Wahee, redshirt second-year linebacker Micah Kiser, second-year safety Quin Blanding and redshirt fourth-year kicker Ian Frye. Asked about being selected to serve in this role, Dean, who also serves as a team captain, noted his experience and the importance of his example. "I've been here for about 10 years now, so I guess they had to put their trust in me some time," Dean quipped. "Truly, it's an honor to be able to represent my team and have the coaches put their faith in my hands. I need to watch how I carry myself. I have to set a good example for the younger guys and always go 100 percent." Whitmire agreed that one of the key jobs of Council members is being a model of the UVa way. "As a fifth year guy, I've been around and seen a lot, and the veteran players need to set the tone," he noted. Along with his Council responsibilities, Croce was not only voted by his team- mates to serve as captain but also re- ceived the Rock Weir Award given to the most improved players during spring drills. Asked what leadership skills he felt both his coaches and peers saw in him, he said consistency and work ethic. "I'm the same person every day when I come here — first thing in the morning, wide awake and ready to go," Croce said. "When I'm working, I'm working and I go 100 percent. Whatever I have you're go- ing to get that every time I'm out on the field, every time I do a rep, in the weight room, studying the playbook, whatever. I'm 100 percent in." Leadership Council members bring the experience of having been there, are a model of the right work ethic and reflect the culture of excellence at the University of Virginia. Their role is to not only help the team win on the gridiron but to help the players thrive in academics and life. — Greg Waters BEHIND THE SCENES FOOTBALL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL Redshirt fourth-year full- back Vince Croce, one of 13 players who make up UVa's Football Leadership Council, said he tries to model consistency and work ethic for his team- mates. PHOTO BY KELSEY GRANT/COURTESY UVA