The famed bayonet charge by the 20th Maine regiment at the Battle of Gettysburg.

Fall sports are back. Across the country, college athletes are lacing up cleats, taping wrists, and stepping onto fields, courts, and courses—some for the first time, others for one last ride. It’s the start of another season… but it’s more than just opening day. This is where college sports leadership comes to life. The Quiet Moments That […]

The College World Series isn’t just a baseball tournament.It’s a showcase of grit, culture, and the emotional highs and lows that define elite teams. Each June, Omaha becomes the proving ground for leadership under pressure. When the lights go out and the stadium empties, what stays with us are the leadership lessons—the moments of growth, identity, and resilience […]

In sports leadership, we often talk about grit, culture, and toughness. But one of the most powerful tools for building great teams often gets overlooked: experiential learning. It’s more than just “learning from experience.” What drives real growth is how you reflect, reframe, and respond. The Power Behind the Process: Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle Legendary educator David Kolb […]

3 Ways to Learn From Experience! There’s something profoundly humbling about standing on the fields of Gettysburg, where pivotal moments of courage, failure, and resolve changed the trajectory of a nation. But more than a historic site, Gettysburg is a living classroom—an unparalleled stage for leader development that brings concepts to life through experience. At Tom Van Dam Coaching […]

Hardiness in the Postseason Push As the regular season winds down and postseason hopes hang in the balance, college athletes are under pressure. The fatigue is real. The stakes are high. And yet—some players rise, while others falter. What makes the difference? In 2018, Oregon State Baseball found itself on the brink—twice. One loss away […]

I recently spoke with a head coach about a team struggling to perform. The players were caught up in their own expectations, fixated on what wasn’t working. Their focus had turned inward, locked on their struggles instead of their strengths. I had a conversation with the team about shifting their mindset—recognizing what they do well and understanding […]

This line delivered by Kurt Russell, playing Herb Brooks in the movie Miracle, couldn’t be more true—not just for sports but for life. Great moments, the ones we dream about, don’t just happen. They’re the result of how we seize the great opportunities we have every day—especially in practice. For athletes, every practice is an opportunity to:✔️ Be intentional with every […]