Former Camels captains preach leadership to student-athletes
Jane McKee Douglas '84, a former captain of Connecticut College’s women’s lacrosse team and a member of the Connecticut College Athletic Hall of Fame, learned invaluable skills as a team leader that have served her well running her own company, Douglas Communications.
“I recognized that every opportunity — game, practice, team meeting — is a chance to learn,” she said.
Douglas was one of seven former Connecticut College captains who returned to campus on Aug. 22 to speak with current Camels captains about the value of leadership in sports and how it can help you after college.
The panel of former captains featured some of the best Camels athletes of the past 30 years, including: Molly Kawachi ’06, women’s volleyball; Bill Barrack ’81, men’s lacrosse and hockey, and a former trustee of the College; Vin Farrell ’96, men’s lacrosse; Kareem Tatum ’01, men’s basketball and member of the Connecticut College Athletic Hall of Fame; Jessica Leclair ’08, women’s rowing; and Trevor Prophet ’11, men’s soccer.
The former captains have gone on to successful careers in a variety of fields since graduating from Connecticut College — and credit much of their success to what they learned as team leaders. Some of the advice they bestowed upon the current captains included:
- “Don’t let your teammates settle for less than their best”
- “Create a vision and set goals for your team”
- “Be a good listener and encourage your teammates to speak their mind”
- “Learn when to be a leader and when to be a team player”
Following the panel discussion, each former captain joined a small group of current captains to answer questions and share ideas.
August 26, 2013