At Andrean High School, the football team operates without designated captains, a decision made clear by Head Coach Chris Skinner.
According to Skinner, “I don’t appoint captains. We kind of have more of a leadership group. All of our seniors are held accountable to carry that torch.” The team’s motto, “tradition never graduates,” encapsulates this philosophy. Seniors are responsible for upholding team standards, while younger players are encouraged to take initiative.
Senior lineman Ben Novak, who has committed to play at Wisconsin, is among those taking on a leadership role. Skinner said, “He’s accepted that role. Leadership doesn’t come easy. You have to work at it. He’s learning to motivate and be a player-coach.”
Skinner also highlighted junior Ethan Reyna as an emerging leader within the team. “He’s relatively quiet,” Skinner said, “but he represents what it means to be an Andrean football player. It’s not about a me-first attitude. We’re putting him in positions to learn how to be an active leader.”
This leadership approach has influenced the 59ers’ offseason training and preparation. As Skinner emphasized, “It’s not about one guy. It’s about everybody buying in and continuing the tradition.”
