Empowering Student Leaders
On the morning of September 9, 2026, student-athlete captains from schools across Alpine School District gathered for the district’s seasonal Captains Academy, an event held three times a year during the fall, winter, and spring sports seasons. The academy brings team captains together for a morning of instruction where guest speakers equip student-athletes with leadership tools, sportsmanship principles, and team-building strategies before competition begins.
The event featured presentations from Superintendent Rob Smith, and distinguished district alumni—former NBA draft pick Travis Hansen, Olympic gold medalist Noelle Pikus-Pace, and former NFL tight end Chad Lewis.
The academy was established in 2012 to provide dedicated support, intentional focus, and practical tools for student leaders across all sports.
"While some athletes are natural-born leaders, even the most intuitive leaders benefit from a space to sharpen their skills, align their vision, and learn how to navigate the complex dynamics of leading their peers," said District Athletic Director Matt Norman.
Impact for Student Captains
The presentations left an immediate impact on the attending captains. Paul, a football captain at Lehi High School, said the experience opened his eyes to how he wants to approach this season. "I think I'm just going to enjoy it more. It's my last season," Paul said. "I'm going to help my team enjoy it as much as they can, and just have a good time."
Zoey, a soccer captain at Mountain View High School, reflected on her responsibility to lead by example. "I feel like it just taught a good lesson to just be a good example, and your actions are going to affect your team," Zoey said. She also said that the training inspired her "to be better" and "just be good to everybody."
Mentorship from World-Class Alumni
For the alumni mentors, returning year after year stems from a deep personal commitment to district students. "It's been a blessing to give back to the school district that gave me so much, and so many administrators and teachers and faculty that blessed my life and blessed my family's life," Hansen said in an interview. He emphasized that his continued involvement centers on relationships, noting that the student-athletes are "phenomenal—gifted, talented" and that "a little nudge and they... they do really well."
Pikus-Pace echoed that passion for supporting student leaders throughout the 12 years of the program. "I love these kids. I love these athletes. I love that they're here and wanting to learn, wanting to grow, wanting to set an example for their teams, and to just be the best not only athletes, but people that they can be," Pikus-Pace said. She shared her hope that captains recognize "the power that they have as a captain to be humble, to be kind, to be a leader... and to help their teams to be resilient both on and off of the court."
During his presentation, Lewis urged captains to approach their goals with confidence and perseverance. "What you can conceive, you can achieve," Lewis told the students. "It's going to take a lot of work, and a lot of thought, and creativity, and pushing through doubters. But I would say to you right up front: go for it."
By investing directly in student leaders, Alpine School District reinforces its commitment to a culture of excellence and student-centered experiences across all high school athletic programs. "The academy creates a powerful ripple effect," Norman said. "By connecting one key captain from every sport with world-class mentors each season, those leaders return to their locker rooms empowered to share simple, impactful concepts with their teammates."
