During my coaching career, I have learned that culture is vitally important and often times a clearer indicator of potential success than talent. Talent is obviously important. But can you, as a coach, get that talent to work hard? To buy into program standards? To be tough when situations are going poorly? To go against the grain? Those are questions that positive team culture can affirm.

Team building is a buzz word thrown around in today’s society. “You have to invest in culture.” But, I say you get to invest in culture. Culture is what drives a program forward. It’s what attracts recruits to come, what keeps recruits on campus for four years, and what keeps alumni coming back. Culture is the key to not only winning on the court, but creating driven young people that will be successful in life beyond athletics.

During my tenure at Thayer Central and continuing at Mount Marty, I emphasized building a strong team culture through team building activities. The team building emphasis was tremendously successful in creating an environment where every player felt loved and accepted. That inclusiveness directly led to being more competitive on the court. To see this plan in action, please watch the following video created by Thayer Central alum Dakota Cherney: Thayer Central Team Building.