St. Luke’s School Introduces the Captains Council to Empower Student-Athlete Leaders

This fall, St. Luke’s School is proud to introduce a new initiative aimed at shaping the next generation of leaders on and off the field: the "Captains Council." Held once a week during mini course time, the program brings together all varsity captains from the fall sports teams to foster a collaborative environment where leadership skills are honed, and real world issues are discussed.

In many ways, the Captains Council is an extension of the Leadership Workshop held this summer, which many of the school’s athletic captains attended. The workshop focused on strategies for effective leadership, conflict resolution, and communication, all critical skills for student-athletes who often play a vital role in team dynamics. Building on the momentum from the summer, the Captains Council is designed to be an ongoing support system for captains to continue developing these skills throughout the season.

As part of the Council’s weekly sessions, captains will have the opportunity to share the challenges they are facing within their teams, brainstorm solutions, and learn from one another’s experiences. This open dialogue allows captains to address real issues, such as team morale, communication breakdowns, or the pressures of balancing academics with athletics. With a shared understanding of their leadership roles, they can work together to cultivate a positive culture within their teams, which will undoubtedly have ripple effects across the broader school community.

The format of the Captains Council is interactive, with frequent guest speakers ranging from former St. Luke’s athletes to industry professionals who bring unique insights into leadership and teamwork. These sessions aim to provide captains with a broader perspective on how to navigate their leadership roles both on the field and in life beyond St. Luke’s.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for our student-athlete leaders to grow in a supportive, solution-oriented environment,” said Anna Knechtel, director of athletics. “The Captains Council ensures that our captains don’t have to shoulder the responsibility of leadership alone. Instead, they are part of a network of peers who are all working towards the same goal – improving their teams and becoming better leaders.”

By creating a structured, consistent space for leadership development, St. Luke’s is setting the standard for how schools can actively support their student-athletes. With the inaugural class of captains now gathering each week, it’s clear that the school is not only committed to excellence in athletics but also to nurturing the leadership qualities that will benefit these students long after they leave the Storm fields.

As the fall sports season unfolds, the impact of the Captains Council is already being felt. Teams are seeing improved communication, stronger camaraderie, and captains who feel more confident in their leadership roles. The program is poised to continue enabling excellence, expanding to include captains from winter and spring sports, and cementing its place as a cornerstone of St. Luke’s athletic and leadership programs.

For now, the captains of the fall teams are leading the way, making a lasting difference on the field, in the classroom and beyond.