DETROIT (9/5/2019) -- The start of the 2019-20 season means competition, wins and losses and outstanding performances, but the continued development of all University of Detroit Mercy staff, coaches and student-athletes as leaders are always a big mission of the athletic department.
Last week, the Titans were afforded the opportunity to learn about leadership from one of the best speakers in the country as Alex Demczak, a former quarterback at Missouri, came to campus to educate everyone on the value of leadership and positivity.
"I am extremely grateful that the University of Detroit Mercy gave me this opportunity to come here and speak to everyone," said Demczak. "I believe that everyone can be a leader if they realize their role and their potential and once we understand that role, once we understand to think about everyone and not just 'myself', then everyone will get better."
Demczak is a keynote speaker and trainer for the Jon Gordon Companies and is the author of Thrive U. The inspirational book is a collection of stories from 100 collegiate and professional athletes from across the country. The book has been used by many youth groups, schools, and businesses as a resource to help others maximize their platform and Thrive rather than simply survive.
"A lot of players are not able to adjust to college, because they just look at themselves and not the big picture, not the team, but once they realize that they are a part of something bigger something greater than themselves and make the decision to make others around them better, everyone wins in that situation," added Demczak.
Demczak spoke to all the Titan coaches and staff with a two-hour presentation in the morning and after enjoying some time on campus - which included a 2-0 men's soccer victory over Niagara - and then took time to address more than 250 student-athletes, all on the values or leadership.
"We were really excited to have a speaker like Alex, who has lived the life of a student-athlete, seen the highs and lows of athletics and now gives back his time to educate other student-athletes and coaches on his experiences," said
Holly Kerstner, Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services. "His vision on leadership and growing as a leader is something that we can all learn from and we all benefitted greatly from his visit to campus."
"I was impressed to see the culture and the vision that the athletic department already has in place," said Demczak. "That shows the importance the athletic department has placed on developing a culture for its staff, coaches and student-athletes."
The series is part of continuing education for everyone in Titan Territory, which has included presentations on sexual abuse, violence, title IX, nutrition and money management.
