Northwestern University Athletics
Fitzgerald, Wildcats Announce 2015 Leadership Council
8/11/2015 12:24:00 PM | Football
EVANSTON, Ill. – With training camp underway, the Northwestern Wildcats and head coach Pat Fitzgerald unveiled the names on the 2015 Leadership Council Tuesday. The player-elected group has significant input on team goal-setting, uniform design, optimal game-day schedules and more.
Determined through a team-wide voting process, the group regularly meets with Fitzgerald throughout the year to discuss issues that affect the entire program and maintain lines of communication with the coaching staff.
"The purpose of the Leadership Council is to open lines of communication, establish trust, and to replicate positive influences throughout the team on a peer perspective," said Fitzgerald. "The Council builds structure, establishes purpose, and removes obstacles that could limit success."
The Leadership Council consists of 14 Wildcats that represent most every level and position group in the program. From an athletic eligibility standpoint, it includes six seniors, three juniors, four sophomores and one redshirt freshman. Wide receiver Christian Jones and superback Dan Vitale have each been elected for the third time. Defensive end Deonte Gibson, safety Traveon Henry and quarterback Matt Alviti are all serving a second term on the Leadership Council.
Nine NU players were elected by their peers for the first time in 2015. Senior offensive lineman Geoff Mogus is a part of the group, as is defensive lineman C.J. Robbins. Junior linebacker Tom Hruby, junior cornerback Matthew Harris and junior wide receiver Stephen Buckley are newcomers as well.
From the sophomore class, superback Jayme Taylor, linebacker Anthony Walker and running back Justin Jackson have been elected. Finally, redshirt freshman quarterback Clayton Thorson has been appointed this season.
Instituted prior to the 2008 season, the Leadership Council aims to promote ownership of the program for players at every age level. Each Council member serves as a team captain during the annual Wildcat Games, a program that encourages competition in all aspects of the Northwestern football experience.
The Wildcats hit the gridiron for the first time in 2015 on Saturday, Sept. 5 when the Stanford Cardinal visits Ryan Field at 11 a.m. Season tickets for Northwestern's entire seven-game slate at home remain on sale through the NU Ticket Office. To purchase the best seats available today, please call 888-GO-PURPLE (888-467-8775) or visit the online Ticket Office.
2015 Northwestern Football Leadership Council
Number of years on Leadership Council in parentheses
DL Deonte Gibson (2)
S Traveon Henry (2)
WR Christian Jones (3)
OL Geoff Mogus (1)
DL C.J. Robbins (1)
SB Dan Vitale (3)
LB Tom Hruby (1)
CB Matthew Harris (1)
WR Stephen Buckley (1)
SB Jayme Taylor (1)
LB Anthony Walker (1)
QB Matt Alviti (2)
RB Justin Jackson (1)
QB Clayton Thorson (1)
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook and check us out on Instagram. For more information on following specific Northwestern teams online, visit our Social Media page!
Determined through a team-wide voting process, the group regularly meets with Fitzgerald throughout the year to discuss issues that affect the entire program and maintain lines of communication with the coaching staff.
"The purpose of the Leadership Council is to open lines of communication, establish trust, and to replicate positive influences throughout the team on a peer perspective," said Fitzgerald. "The Council builds structure, establishes purpose, and removes obstacles that could limit success."
The Leadership Council consists of 14 Wildcats that represent most every level and position group in the program. From an athletic eligibility standpoint, it includes six seniors, three juniors, four sophomores and one redshirt freshman. Wide receiver Christian Jones and superback Dan Vitale have each been elected for the third time. Defensive end Deonte Gibson, safety Traveon Henry and quarterback Matt Alviti are all serving a second term on the Leadership Council.
Nine NU players were elected by their peers for the first time in 2015. Senior offensive lineman Geoff Mogus is a part of the group, as is defensive lineman C.J. Robbins. Junior linebacker Tom Hruby, junior cornerback Matthew Harris and junior wide receiver Stephen Buckley are newcomers as well.
From the sophomore class, superback Jayme Taylor, linebacker Anthony Walker and running back Justin Jackson have been elected. Finally, redshirt freshman quarterback Clayton Thorson has been appointed this season.
Instituted prior to the 2008 season, the Leadership Council aims to promote ownership of the program for players at every age level. Each Council member serves as a team captain during the annual Wildcat Games, a program that encourages competition in all aspects of the Northwestern football experience.
The Wildcats hit the gridiron for the first time in 2015 on Saturday, Sept. 5 when the Stanford Cardinal visits Ryan Field at 11 a.m. Season tickets for Northwestern's entire seven-game slate at home remain on sale through the NU Ticket Office. To purchase the best seats available today, please call 888-GO-PURPLE (888-467-8775) or visit the online Ticket Office.
2015 Northwestern Football Leadership Council
Number of years on Leadership Council in parentheses
DL Deonte Gibson (2)
S Traveon Henry (2)
WR Christian Jones (3)
OL Geoff Mogus (1)
DL C.J. Robbins (1)
SB Dan Vitale (3)
LB Tom Hruby (1)
CB Matthew Harris (1)
WR Stephen Buckley (1)
SB Jayme Taylor (1)
LB Anthony Walker (1)
QB Matt Alviti (2)
RB Justin Jackson (1)
QB Clayton Thorson (1)
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook and check us out on Instagram. For more information on following specific Northwestern teams online, visit our Social Media page!
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