Cross Country Team Members Participate in Leadership Series

Team captains, Olivia Leemon and Quentin Smith, spent eight Tuesday afternoons with Coach Sturgeon this semester for a leadership development series. The series included videos featuring leadership gurus Brene Brown, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, and Simon Sinek, plus an inspirational video featuring elite distance runner, Eliud Kipchoge. In between the videos and discussions, the team captains were provided special opportunities to have personal audiences with leaders including Dr. Lauren Dodge, Dr. Rochelle Henderson, and Coach Mark Hopping.

For the final session, the captains traveled with Coach Sturgeon to Springfield to meet with Coach Sturgeon’s longtime friend, Mark Watson, to discuss Mark’s new book, “Joyous Leadership.” Mark is a successful COO of a global corporation (BUNN Corporation) but also a long-time member of the running community. In early 2015, Mark was also diagnosed with a terminal illness, hATTR Amyloidosis, and given less than a year to live. Mark shared freely about that now seven-year journey and what it has taught him about life and leadership. 

Quentin Smith said, “Meeting with Mark was a great experience. I related to him because although he can't really run anymore, he still cares about running and wants to be a part of the running movement. I experienced this when my lung collapsed in high school, and I came to almost every meet and practice. Life is about doing what you can, while you can, and Mark has shown this with all of his actions." 

Mark provided a tour of the BUNN Corporation corporate office, treated the group to dinner, shared autographed copies of his book, and inspired the team captains with his stories. Coach Sturgeon left Mark a Blackburn Beaver that found a home in his office! 

Olivia Leemon concluded, “Taking part in these leadership sessions has truly been so valuable for me to grow as not only a leader, but an individual. Wrapping up our sessions with Mark was a fantastic experience. Getting to learn and converse with such a phenomenal person was amazing. I can't wait to read his book!!"