Adkins gives opportunity of life lessons in choosing team captains

By FRED KRONER
fred@mahometnews.com

Coaches often talk about their athletes learning life lessons through the sports in which they participate.

Mahomet-Seymour first-year varsity football coach Jon Adkins put that principle into practice this summer.

He asked squad members who were interested in serving as team captains to submit an application – complete with three references – and then sit through an interview with a four-member selection committee.

At the conclusion of that process, four captains were chosen.

Costen Campion, Noah Crowley, Jack Koller and Nick Liagridonis will be the team leaders for a football team that will start practice on Monday (Aug. 12) in preparation for a season that will open on Friday (Aug. 30).

“The experience was definitely new to me, but I was excited for the opportunity to go through it,” Crowley said. “We had never been put through this process and I felt it was a chance to show the coaches what they were really going to get with me.

“I enjoyed the process a lot and felt it was extremely helpful not only for this season, but also my future.”

Campion put as much effort into his attempt to land a captain’s role as he does his sporting endeavors.

“Applying to become a captain was time-consuming, thought-provoking, and it took a lot of thought and effort to accomplish,” Campion said. “The most daunting part of this application, in my opinion, was the interview because of how ‘on the spot’ I felt and the short amount of time one has to formulate an articulate, yet sincere, answer.”

Liagridonis was appreciative of an experience that he can see will benefit him later.

“The process was awesome because it really gave me insight into how applications work in the real world,” Liagridonis said. “There were many small things I learned about creating a resume and a reference list that I wouldn’t have known had I not gone through that process.

“The application process wasn’t one that scared me too much being that I have some experience in interviews and such, but the experience still opened my eyes a bit to how I’ll be applying to positions later in life.”

Nervousness was a feeling that Koller needed to overcome in his quest to become a captain.

“I thought that the process was really great,” Koller said. “I’m not going to lie, I had never been through something like it, so I was pretty nervous.

“Part of being involved in high school athletics is learning life lessons. This process was a great life lesson and I am grateful that it was this way and that I got to participate.”

Adkins said that each of the 2019 captains have their own individual strengths.

“All four kids are fantastic role models that we are extremely proud to be representing our football program,” Adkins said. “Nick Liagridonis is one of the smartest kids I’ve been fortunate enough to coach, he is great at working with the younger kids as well. Costen Campion is a kid who others follow and that’s a great thing. He has a great personality and is a great role model.

“Jack Koller is one of the funniest kids I’ve ever met. He can bring light to a tough situation with his comedy. Noah Crowley is probably one of the hardest workers in our program. He never comes off the field and is a great leader by example.”

Though Koller acknowledges a laid-back attitude, he emphasizes that it doesn’t reflect a lack of commitment or desire.

“I’m pretty easy going and like to joke around a little,” Koller said. “Don’t get me wrong, when it’s time to be serious, I am; but I always want to be approachable. I think the way I am makes it that way.”

Though the teen-agers are newcomers to the captaincy role, the Bulldog leaders have a good idea of what is expected. They’ve learned from those who came before them.

“One thing that I’ve definitely taken away from observing previous captains is how important it is to reach out and make relationships with underclassmen,” Liagridonis said. “I remember during my freshman and sophomore years, how much it meant to me when one of the senior captains would do something as simple as checking up on how I was doing and how practice went.

“Remembering that feeling, I do my best to reach out to as many of the underclassmen players as I can.”

Koller believes he has paid his dues.

“There have been a lot of great leaders on this team throughout the years,” Koller said. “I’ve just always tried to pay attention and listen to what others have to say and learn from that.”

Campion is thankful for the example set by the former M-S captains.

“In previous years of football, the captains have shown me what it means to be a leader on the football field, and off the field, specifically in the weight room,” Campion said. “Last season, I had the opportunity to weight lift with the senior captains, and they daily and consistently pushed me to go harder and lift heavier every day.

“In turn, I have learned how to push myself, and even others, to maximum capabilities. This is something I’ve been doing and I want to continue doing to make our team as successful as we can be.”

Crowley will also draw upon the experiences from the past three football seasons.

“One of the biggest things I have learned is that you must come together as a team,” Crowley said. “Becoming a team rather than individuals is what makes a team great in my opinion. I have learned in the past once a group of guys become close, nothing will be able to stop them.”

Campion said the duties of the captains includes a variety of roles, some of which he has learned at home.

“Some of the responsibilities of team captain include being a vocal leader, as well as being someone who leads by example,” Campion said. “I have five siblings, four who are younger than me, and so I know what it’s like to have ‘all eyes and ears on me.’

”This role also entails having integrity, giving 100 percent effort at all times, following team rules and so on. Another responsibility of the team captain is to maintain a positive attitude and mindset in times of adversity, and to keep the team moving forward at all times.”

Campion has been in a leadership position with various clubs and groups in which he has been associated.

“I’ve grown into the role of a leader through serving in various organizations such as leading in FCA and in my church youth group, participating in and currently being elected as President of The Mahomet Interact Club (the high school volunteer club), being selected both junior and senior year to serve as a mentor in the Freshman Mentor Program, and serving as a student section leader in our upcoming basketball season,” Campion said.

Koller hopes his actions speak louder than any words.

“I am big on leading by example,” Koller said. “Always hustling, going all out, being respectful and having integrity. Also, I really look at it as just being there for my teammates both on and off the field. To me, that’s the biggest role I’ll have.”

Liagridonis said the biggest key is to always remember that others will be watching his actions and attitude.

“My biggest responsibility is to be a positive role model that my teammates can look up to,” Liagridonis said. “This would manifest itself in many different ways. To be a positive role model, it is my responsibility to not take any plays off, whether it be in practice or a game.

“It is my responsibility to reach out and make relationships with as many people on the team as possible, whether or not they play my position or are in my class. Ultimately, it’s about being a figure on the team that my teammates, as well as coaches, can rely on and turn to.”

In addition, Crowley said it is imperative not to be overcome by the pressures of any given moment.

“One of my biggest roles is to be one of the leaders for our team. I need to be vocal and stay calm in tense situations during games while still being able to play at my highest level,” Crowley said. “I also feel I need to show the underclassmen what a good captain should look like and be a role model for the future of the program.”

As the years have passed, Crowley has developed a fondness for football.

“Football means a lot to me,” said Crowley, a receiver and cornerback. “I have played other sports in the past, but I have also continued playing football.

“I always feel at home when I can step onto the field. My goal for the season is to win. It’s a team game and the only thing that matters at the end of the game is who gets the ‘W.’ “

Campion, a halfback and a defensive tackle, said he won’t set his goals below being the very best.

“Football, to me, means working hard, all year long with your teammates, in order to be physically and mentally prepared to win when the season arrives; nothing beats that rewarding feeling,” Campion said. “My goal for the season: although it’s big, I want to bring home a state championship.”

For Koller, this season promises to be a memorable one.

“I have my younger brother (Ryan) on the freshman team this year and it’s really cool to have him there for my senior year,” Jack Koller said. “Plus, he was chosen as a freshman captain, so that makes it even that much more special.”

A receiver, Liagridonis said his passion for football has mushroomed.

“Football is a sport I’ve really grown to love playing, and with the excitement and energy that’s been generated going into this football season, I’ve felt that love 10 times more,” he said. “As a team, and as an individual, the goal is to win the Apollo Conference, and ultimately win state.”

Being a captain, Crowley said, has been a long-term goal.

“I have wanted to be a captain all four years of high school, and to be given the opportunity I cannot be more excited,” Crowley said. “I can’t wait for the chance to help lead our team into games and be a role model.”

Football has helped him mature.

“In the beginning of my high school career I was a lot more timid and not as outgoing as I am now,” Crowley said. “I feel that stepping out and really embracing the leadership role that I have now is a lot easier than it would have been four years ago.

“I also feel my last four years have prepared me for this season as a leader as I know what to do and what not to do and also how to handle certain situations whether it be on the field or elsewhere.”

Liagridonis has embraced the responsibilities of being a captain.

“A captain is someone who represents the team and sets an example for his or her teammates of how to operate,” he said. “As a captain, I have to be a leader that influences all of my teammates to step up and reach their maximum potential, so that we can do the same as a unit.

“I do that by setting an example of how to act on and off the field.”

M-S will start its season on Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m. at home against Marion.

“I’m very excited for this upcoming season,” Campion said. “I look forward to the amazing community members of Mahomet coming out in full support as they cheer us on to victory. It’s time for all of our off-season work to pay off.”