Sports Management Commons^™

Redesigning Athlete Leadership, Derek Hunsberger

Full-Text Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation explores the critical role of team captains in fostering effective leadership within athletic teams, utilizing a novel approach that integrates systems thinking and design thinking principles. It challenges the prevailing practice of coaches selecting team captains based solely on athletic prowess or popularity, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive and strategic approach to leadership identification and development.

The research employed an Idealized Design session as a unique methodology to gather insights and perspectives from key stakeholders, including coaches, athletes, and support staff. This approach seeks to uncover latent needs and systemic factors influencing team dynamics, leadership effectiveness, …