USM Athletes Start the Year with Leadership

In August, Upper School student athletes at University School of Milwaukee participated in Wildcats Lead—an annual meeting designed to foster positive leadership regardless of one’s skill or ability during competition.

This year, the seminar was led by Brian Hendricks, USM’s assistant director of college guidance and varsity girls’ basketball head coach, with support from other USM coaches. Hendricks knows a thing or two about leadership, having guided the girls’ basketball team from a 2-21 season in 2024-25 to a 17-8 season in 2025-26, his first year as the girls’ coach. He also serves as a certified mental performance coach. 

During Wildcats Lead, Hendricks discussed what it takes to be a good leader every day in situations big and small, what it means to be a team contributor, and why being a follower is actually showing good leadership. He also invited students to create their personal MVP statement, including developing a mission statement by answering the question “Why do I compete?” The mission was supported by a vision, or a description of what success looks like for that athlete, and daily practices that will help them reach their goals.  

“I always tell my teams, ‘How you do anything is how you do everything,’” said Hendricks. “It is the same for leadership. We all can be leaders, we don't need a title for it to be true in our everyday lives.”