The Strength of the Wolf is the Pack

Jess, Leslie, Jenny, Kaelie, Katie, Luiza, Rachael, Rachel, Lauren

After just three weeks of training, members of the University of Nevada Swimming and Diving have made tremendous gains in fitness.  It is fascinating and inspiring to watch each girl build endurance, technical efficiency, and mental toughness.  But it is even more fascinating to watch the team come together as a group determined to train with purpose and precision in the pursuit of athletic excellence.  (No, this is not a piece on alliteration.)

Team during a scavenger hunt at Morrill Hall on campus.

Back as an undergraduate at Northwestern, I learned about Bruce Tuckman's five stages of group development.  Tuckman theorized that the "life" of a group or team occurs in five stages:  forming, norming, storming, performing, and adjourning.  The first stages involve establishing goals, setting expectations, defining standards, choosing roles, and building a unified identity.  The stages include a rainbow of emotions as a group (or athletic team) faces challenges together. 

Team at a bike rack on campus (part of a scavenger hunt).

Nevada Swimming and Diving is building an identity around a simple mission:  To do everything we can to be the best we can in our quest for championships.  This means that we strive to improve ourselves every day by training with purpose at the pool, taking care of our bodies away from the pool, and treating each other with love and respect.  Our mission means that we're going to work hard together and see the best in each other no matter what hurdles come our way. 




 As we start our season (and write Wolf Pack with our shadows), Henry Ford's quote is relevant:  "Coming together is a beginning.  Keeping together is progress.  Working together is success."

As part of the "norming" stage, the team completed a photo scavenger hunt of 17 items/tasks/people around campus.  Good stuff!