Athletics Leadership Development Programs

Lehigh P.R.I.D.E. - Personal Responsibility in Determining Excellence

Lehigh P.R.I.D.E. is a one-year leadership development program targeting all incoming first year student-athletes, new to the university and to the challenges of Division I collegiate athletics.  This program is intended to help student-athletes in their transition from high school to college.  Student-athletes will explore their own personal values, styles and self-concept while developing core leadership skills necessary to be successful as a student and as an athlete.  Additionally, student-athletes will build a support network of faculty, staff, and peers who can positively impact their personal growth while at Lehigh.

Any first year student-athlete who has successfully completed the fall orientation requirements can apply to participate in the Lehigh P.R.I.D.E program. Lehigh P.R.I.D.E. requires a total time commitment of just over six hours (five monthly meetings lasting 75 minutes each) throughout the academic year, as well as highly encouraged attendance to an external athletics leadership speaker event.

Lehigh Athletics Leadership Academy

Emerging Leaders

The Emerging Leaders program is the first phase of the Lehigh Athletics Leadership Academy.  Offered to sophomore and junior student-athletes identified by coaches and/or self-identified as having a strong interest in leadership development, this phase builds upon the leadership foundation established in the Lehigh P.R.I.D.E. program.  Student-athletes are challenged to expand their self-concept through reflection and evaluation of their abilities to lead by example and to lead vocally.

To be eligible for the Emerging Leaders program, student-athletes must complete a program application and commit to attending ten 75-minute interactive workshops throughout the academic year.

These workshops are offered via two “tracks”- the Brown Track (mostly Sunday night workshops) and the White Track (mostly Monday night workshops). Since attendance at all workshops is required, program participants may choose the track that best fits their schedule.

Leadership Legacies

Leadership Legacies is the second phase of the Lehigh Athletics Leadership Academy.  Offered to designated team leaders (coach-identified) and team captains, this phase focuses on the application of core leadership principles to navigate leadership challenges that surface throughout a competitive season. Additionally, the Leadership Legacies program provides student-athletes with self, teammate and coach feedback on one’s leadership action to guide the creation of personalized development plans.

The Leadership Legacies curriculum is delivered to three cohorts of team leaders based on sport season (fall, winter, spring). This program requires a commitment to formal leadership training during eight 75-minute workshops scheduled throughout the academic year. A significant portion of this time is devoted to “Team Time” (for in-season trouble shooting and application of core leadership principles to team contexts). Additional responsibilities include follow-up meetings with coaches and daily interaction with teammates.

To be eligible for the Leadership Legacies program, captains or coach-identified team leaders should have completed the Emerging Leaders program. There is not an application process for the Leadership Legacies program as the cohort will be carefully selected based on criteria determined by coaches.

Rising junior student-athletes that have already completed the Emerging Leaders program and been selected by coaches to participate in the Leadership Legacies program will have the option of initiating and completing the program during their junior year. Repeating the Leadership Legacies program (provided they are still coach selected or team captains) in the senior year is highly advisable because of the transitional nature of team sports.

Rising junior student-athletes that have completed the Emerging Leaders program but that have not been selected as captains or as coach-identified team leaders are strongly encouraged to practice their leadership skills in service or Student-Athlete Council activities.