Leadership in Action
Alumni Athletes Bring Their Skills Back to the Game Our alumni gained many different skills during their time at Cannon, whether that be in the classroom, taking a leadership role within the House System or another organization on campus, or on the athletic field. Several of our alumni have come back to campus to coach on the same fields where they once competed as Cougars. We had the chance to interview some of these upstanding alumni to learn more about their motivation behind returning to campus and the skills they’ve gained.
Myles Martino ’13 Assistant JV Football Coach
been coached like this.’ So, I really just honed in on that and thought about how every player is going to be different, and every player is an individual. I really wanted to make sure that every kid got the individualized attention they needed. One of the things I did at the beginning of the season was ask each one where they wanted to be at the end of the season. With taking that time, I was able to identify some of the goals they wanted to achieve, hold them accountable, and partner with them to help them get there. That was something that I believe they felt was genuine and really helped both of us establish a connection.”
Kelvin Drakeford ’08 Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach Myles Martino ’13 (middle) discusses game plays with Coach Danny Scurlock and Coach Chris Williams
The football program started in 2010 and you played on the inaugural team. What kind of leadership lessons did you learn at Cannon as a student-athlete? “I feel like servant leadership is something that I was able to take away from my time at Cannon. As far as being able to be the captain for the football team, I didn’t hold that lightly. I believe I took that and transferred it into everything I was doing, as far as the way I was talking to people or how I could help someone. Of course, the honor code was a big thing while I was at Cannon and still is - having that initiative and being able to speak up to make a change was something that I was able to take away from my time at Cannon.” How have you translated your experiences as a student and transferred it to a coaching role? “Of course, when you’re a kid and being coached, you really don’t have the hindsight to look back and think, ‘I wish I would have done this differently,’ or ‘I wish I would have
Kelvin Drakeford ’08 checking the scoreboard during a game this past season
How has your experience been back as a coach at Cannon? “I think from a personal standpoint, this is home for me, so I take a lot of pride in our program. When the girls put on a Cannon uniform, I let them know that this is special. I really do take a lot of pride in it, and people have been very supportive of it, and our program has really been growing.” Winter/Spring 2021 | CANNON | 31
