VALDOSTA – Preseason training shifted gears last Friday when both the Valdosta State Blazer soccer and volleyball teams teamed up with the United States Marine Corps for a practice session focused around the concept of team-building.

“We’re here to introduce student athletes to our 14 leadership traits and our 11 leadership principles,” said Captain Kate Brannon. “We aim to get them talking about leadership and about how they can apply those skills both on and off the field and in their everyday lives.”

As part of their recruiting efforts, the Marines approached Valdosta State about their desire to offer team-building sessions for student-athletes at VSU. With a host of new faces joining the ranks for Head Coach Rebecca Nolin of VSU soccer and Head Coach Mike Swan of Blazer volleyball this season, both coaches jumped at the opportunity to improve camaraderie among their respective teams.

“When I got a phone call from Captain Brannon about coming out to work with our girls on some team bonding and team chemistry work, I knew those were very important aspects that we needed to implement as soon as possible with our 16 newcomers,” said Nolin.

The sessions last week began with training in small groups on the importance of working together as a complete unit. The Marines then followed up with a series of competitive team-building challenges that encouraged focus on accuracy, perseverance, and teamwork.

“This is great exposure for the Marine Corps as part of their recruiting process,” said Swan. “I also felt like it would be a great opportunity for our girls to do something a little different and to learn a little more about the military and the different options they have when they get out of school.”