DePaul University Athletics
Captains' Council Anticipates a Memorable Season
9/28/2018 2:34:00 PM | ATHLETICS
Decker leads the way as student-athlete leaders launch NCAA campaign Monday
CHICAGO – Kyle Decker flourishes in the unifying characteristic that helps define all the teams that wear DePaul across their chest.
Athletic success and academic excellence are instilled within Blue Demons the moment they arrive on campus their freshman year.
They quickly discover the high priority everyone in Lincoln Park places on serving others.
That will resonate throughout the year as Captains' Council embarks on a number of projects designed to spread awareness about the student-athlete experience while also looking to help the less fortunate.
It begins Monday with DePaul partnering with student-athletes, administrators, coaches and fans nationwide on the NCAA's Diversity and Inclusion Social Media campaign.
Participants will create a dialogue on diversity and inclusion on social media highlighting the benefit of inclusive environments to the college experience.
"Captains' Council is going to take a large step and launch a big initiative to do the most," said Captains' Council president Kyle Decker of the men's track and field team. "We have been planning for a couple of weeks to highlight our school as a diverse and inclusive environment. We're really excited about that."
The NCAA campaign will have a different theme for every day.
Monday: More Than a Student-Athlete---delves into a student-athlete's multiple identities.
Tuesday: Beyond a Label---debunking athletics-related stereotypes.
Wednesday: The Facts---sharing diversity facts and numbers
Thursday: Diversity is…---Explaining what diversity and inclusion means to me.
Friday: I Pledge to…---Committing to a personal action plan for inclusion.
In the latter part of October, Captains' Council and Blue Demon student-athletes will engage in a collective event called BIG EAST Serves, partnering with Villanova to work on a service project on the same day.
"Again, we're using social media to try and promote these types of things," Decker said. "We hope to be setting an example for our students when it comes to volunteering and the importance of service.
"Captains' Council is the liaison between the student-athlete, coaching staff and administration. Any concerns or suggestions to improve the student-athlete experience---we're responsible for communicating that to our administration.
"We also take on many service projects on behalf of the athletics department. We're the ones organizing it and putting it on. Captains' Council is made up of the captains from each team."
In addition to Decker, the group's leadership includes vice-president Avery Hay of women's soccer, secretary Sasa Labovic of men's soccer and treasurer Morgan Greenwood of softball.
Decker believes DePaul has taken the lead nationally when it comes to serving our society.
"We are exposed to service at our orientation during the first week---we're already making blankets for the children at the St. Vincent de Paul Center," Decker said. "We really show our students that it's important to get involved and that it should just be a natural part of our lives. Integrating it and making it more of a fun thing rather than a chore makes DePaul different from other schools. I think other schools can learn from us.
"Being a student-athlete and having that distinction encourages people to listen. Our athletic department does a great job in terms of service and development in building talented and caring student-athletes. We're very diversified and multi-faceted which makes us become better people."
Decker is enthusiastic about two service Captains' Council initiatives to benefit charities.
"I'm very excited for the dodgeball charity event where I'll be the project manager," Decker said. "It is a chance for us as student-athletes to put on an event, reach out and be inclusive of other student organizations. I know it's a lot of fun and we raise funds and a lot of awareness.
"We're looking forward to once again doing a field type of event for all the teams in the athletics department and seeing everyone moving and having a good time at that fun, playful spring event."
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Athletic success and academic excellence are instilled within Blue Demons the moment they arrive on campus their freshman year.
They quickly discover the high priority everyone in Lincoln Park places on serving others.
That will resonate throughout the year as Captains' Council embarks on a number of projects designed to spread awareness about the student-athlete experience while also looking to help the less fortunate.
It begins Monday with DePaul partnering with student-athletes, administrators, coaches and fans nationwide on the NCAA's Diversity and Inclusion Social Media campaign.
Participants will create a dialogue on diversity and inclusion on social media highlighting the benefit of inclusive environments to the college experience.
"Captains' Council is going to take a large step and launch a big initiative to do the most," said Captains' Council president Kyle Decker of the men's track and field team. "We have been planning for a couple of weeks to highlight our school as a diverse and inclusive environment. We're really excited about that."
The NCAA campaign will have a different theme for every day.
Monday: More Than a Student-Athlete---delves into a student-athlete's multiple identities.
Tuesday: Beyond a Label---debunking athletics-related stereotypes.
Wednesday: The Facts---sharing diversity facts and numbers
Thursday: Diversity is…---Explaining what diversity and inclusion means to me.
Friday: I Pledge to…---Committing to a personal action plan for inclusion.
In the latter part of October, Captains' Council and Blue Demon student-athletes will engage in a collective event called BIG EAST Serves, partnering with Villanova to work on a service project on the same day.
"Again, we're using social media to try and promote these types of things," Decker said. "We hope to be setting an example for our students when it comes to volunteering and the importance of service.
"Captains' Council is the liaison between the student-athlete, coaching staff and administration. Any concerns or suggestions to improve the student-athlete experience---we're responsible for communicating that to our administration.
"We also take on many service projects on behalf of the athletics department. We're the ones organizing it and putting it on. Captains' Council is made up of the captains from each team."
In addition to Decker, the group's leadership includes vice-president Avery Hay of women's soccer, secretary Sasa Labovic of men's soccer and treasurer Morgan Greenwood of softball.
Decker believes DePaul has taken the lead nationally when it comes to serving our society.
"We are exposed to service at our orientation during the first week---we're already making blankets for the children at the St. Vincent de Paul Center," Decker said. "We really show our students that it's important to get involved and that it should just be a natural part of our lives. Integrating it and making it more of a fun thing rather than a chore makes DePaul different from other schools. I think other schools can learn from us.
"Being a student-athlete and having that distinction encourages people to listen. Our athletic department does a great job in terms of service and development in building talented and caring student-athletes. We're very diversified and multi-faceted which makes us become better people."
Decker is enthusiastic about two service Captains' Council initiatives to benefit charities.
"I'm very excited for the dodgeball charity event where I'll be the project manager," Decker said. "It is a chance for us as student-athletes to put on an event, reach out and be inclusive of other student organizations. I know it's a lot of fun and we raise funds and a lot of awareness.
"We're looking forward to once again doing a field type of event for all the teams in the athletics department and seeing everyone moving and having a good time at that fun, playful spring event."
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