Northwestern University Athletics
Fitzgerald, Wildcats Announce 2016 Leadership Council
2/25/2016 5:00:00 PM | Football
EVANSTON, Illinois – Northwestern football and head coach Pat Fitzgerald on Thursday announced the 12 Wildcats that will comprise the team's 2016 Leadership Council. The player-elected group has significant input on team goal-setting, uniform selection, optimal gameday 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. This program belongs to our student-athletes, and they determine where we go, both on the field and off."
Six Wildcats were elected to the Leadership Council for the second consecutive season: senior defensive tackle C.J. Robbins, senior cornerback Matthew Harris, junior running back Justin Jackson, junior superback Jayme Taylor, junior linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. and sophomore quarterback Clayton Thorson.
The six student-athletes making their debuts on the 2016 Leadership Council are senior wide receiver Austin Carr, senior linebacker Joseph Jones, senior running back Warren Long, senior offensive lineman Connor Mahoney, sophomore defensive tackle Jordan Thompson and sophomore linebacker Tommy Vitale (all classes listed reflect athletic eligibility remaining).
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.
Northwestern opened the spring practice season on Tuesday, Feb. 23. The Wildats kick off the 2016 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 3, when they welcome Western Michigan to Ryan Field.
2016 Northwestern Football Leadership Council
Austin Carr, WR
Matthew Harris, CB
Justin Jackson, RB
Joseph Jones, LB
Warren Long, RB
Connor Mahoney, OL
C.J. Robbins, DL
Jayme Taylor, SB
Jordan Thompson, DL
Clayton Thorson, QB
Tommy Vitale, LB
Anthony Walker Jr., LB
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. This program belongs to our student-athletes, and they determine where we go, both on the field and off."
Six Wildcats were elected to the Leadership Council for the second consecutive season: senior defensive tackle C.J. Robbins, senior cornerback Matthew Harris, junior running back Justin Jackson, junior superback Jayme Taylor, junior linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. and sophomore quarterback Clayton Thorson.
The six student-athletes making their debuts on the 2016 Leadership Council are senior wide receiver Austin Carr, senior linebacker Joseph Jones, senior running back Warren Long, senior offensive lineman Connor Mahoney, sophomore defensive tackle Jordan Thompson and sophomore linebacker Tommy Vitale (all classes listed reflect athletic eligibility remaining).
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.
Northwestern opened the spring practice season on Tuesday, Feb. 23. The Wildats kick off the 2016 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 3, when they welcome Western Michigan to Ryan Field.
2016 Northwestern Football Leadership Council
Austin Carr, WR
Matthew Harris, CB
Justin Jackson, RB
Joseph Jones, LB
Warren Long, RB
Connor Mahoney, OL
C.J. Robbins, DL
Jayme Taylor, SB
Jordan Thompson, DL
Clayton Thorson, QB
Tommy Vitale, LB
Anthony Walker Jr., LB
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