Leadership Observation

● June 4th from 2:00-6:00 observe Kevin Lucas at OHSAA state track meet
○ Made connections with high school coaches and parents by creating
meaningful conversation.
○ Made high school athletes feel like they would be a great fit for our
program
○ Spent time networking with other college coaches who were there
recruiting
● June 10th from 10:00-2:00 observe Kevin Lucas with prospective student-athlete
on campus
○ Asked questions to try to get to know the athlete personally
○ Made connections with the parents to make them feel seen and trust him
○ Show them all Mount Union has to offer and promise a great experience

Leadership Interview
1. How did you first get involved in leadership?
● “8th grade basketball. I was looked to as the leader on the team and was in
charge of the offense.”
2. What is your personal philosophy and/or definition of leadership?
● “Guiding those that you work with to achieve a common goal. Setting examples
through your own work ethic and showing individuals how to reach their goals.”
3. Who is your leadership role-model/mentor? Why?
● “My coach from High School. Rob was my coach for cross country, basketball
and track. He didn;t always know everything. When he didn’t know he did his
best ot find someone who did know.”
4. What are some resources that every leader should know about?
● “Leadership podcasts, personal development books, google it”
5. What are the outstanding skills or abilities of effective leaders you have known?
● “Confidence in what you are trying to tell your athletes/ employees. Fake it till you
make it.”
6. Have you observed differences in the way men and women lead? If yes, describe.If
no, why do you think this is?
● “I think in our society women have to a more “no-nonsense approach” so they
are taken seriously. “
7. What are the major reasons leaders fail in position like yours?
● “Many times they don’t recognize some of the important things that the athletes
in their program want to get out of their experience.”
8. If you had to train someone to replace you in your current job, what key abilities do
you seek?
 ● “Good communicator, someone with the gift of gab (can talk), somewhat of a
background in sales, have a good working knowledge of the sport.”
9. What are your biggest leadership challenges and celebrations?
● “Challenges- getting everyone to be motivated to accomplish the goals. To get
the entire staff to understand that everyone is on the same page. Most
rewarding- when you win or an athlete competes well and gives it their all.”
10. What are some words of advice that you would give to a new leader?
● “Never settle. Whenever you think you’ve made it know there is someone out
there working just as hard if not harder than you are. “
11. If you could add one attribute to your program, what would it be?
● ‘More time. If we had more time for practice, more time for recovery, more time
for travel we could be more successful.”
12. Why did you get into coaching?
● “I love track and field and I hated my job as in marketing. I wanted to create a
career doing what I love.”
13. What is the hardest part about being a leader?
● “Having to be on all the time. Constantly answering questions, making
connections and supporting the athletes and staff.”
14. What was the biggest change from being part of the supporting cast of leaders to
the main leader of the program?
● “ Not a whole lot changed honestly. I have a lot more of an administrative roll now
in making sure the smaller details are taken care of and that our administration
supports the program.”
15. How would you describe yourself as a leader?
● “ I am more of a quite supportive leader. I try to calmly motivate and support. I
want our athletes to know that I care about them but we have a standard to reach
for.”

Leadership Reflection
1. Why did you select the person you chose to interview?
● I selected Kevin Lucas to interview because he is the biggest leader I observe in
my day to day life. I also chose him because I know that he is really good at his
job, which is leading a successful Cross Country/ Track and Field Program.
2. What part of the interview impacted you most? Why?
● I appreciated when Coach Lucas said was: “Many times they don’t recognize
some of the important things that the athletes in their program want to get out of
their experience”. I enjoy that Coach Lucas has built Mount Union’s program
around this idea of having a great experience. It’s what I experienced. It’s what
many other athletes have experienced. He listens to athletes and hears what
they want.
3. How does what you learned in the interview validate,refute, or reinforce what you
have learned in the literature?
● All that I heard from Coach Lucas reinforced what we’ve read in the literature
throughout this semester. He talked about making connections and leading by
example. Continuing to support your staff and build them up, motivate them and
give them the opportunity to thrive.
4. What action guidelines does this person utilize,if any, towards enacting change in
his/her organization?
● When Coach Lucas joined the staff in 2009 he was all about making Mount
Union a program of excellence. He has worked tirelessly to recruit great athletes,
build a big roster and create a staff of people with the same values and work
ethic as his own.