Two leaders from Macalester College - Donnie Brooks (left), Direct of Athletics and Abe Woldeslassie, Head Men’s Basketball Coach,
Listen to my conversation with these two leaders at Macalester College in St. Paul: Donnie Brooks, Director of Athletics and Abe Woldeslassie, Head Men’s Basketball Coach. The pandemic and Black Lives Matter dramatically changed every aspect of college life, college athletics and their community. Yet Macalester Athletics is anchored by their core values: Community/Develop/Compete. These permeate their activities and voices.
Both men talk about a variety of things:
The power of connectivity, especially now.
Finding one’s voice is at the heart of student-athlete growth, learning and helping them be “leaders for life”.
Realizing you don’t have to have all of the answers; that’s why you have a team and it builds authenticity and trust.
How Minneapolis is the Black Lives Matter epicenter and has motivated and inspired them to step up in their community.
Why team values matter: “Control/Passion/Be a great teammate” are so important more than ever.
Covid-19 has redefined competition as we know it.
This is a time of opportunity.
Brooks talks about how all in the department - coaches, administrators and of course student-athletes are mobilizing and taking initiative. Tough conversations impact all culturally and fuel keeping these conversations alive.
Take a moment to listen to two purposeful, insightful and thoughtful leaders at Macalester. It was a learning experience for me and I enjoyed being with them.
