Summer Highlighted by Another Successful DRIVE Program

The fall term at Dartmouth begins on Monday, but the campus was buzzing this summer on many accounts, including with the DRIVE program.

"Thinking back to moments in DRIVE, one of my favorite moments would have to be the scavenger hunt," said Brandon Mitchell-Day of men's basketball. "I'll never forget the surprised looks of teachers, townspeople and other students as large groups of students were running through Hanover. But the scavenger hunt wasn't just a game. It was a reminder that leadership can also be fun, and that building camaraderie within the Dartmouth community and trust within our teams is what makes us stronger and more cohesive as a college."

Why were student-athletes eagerly scouring campus? What is DRIVE?

The program through Dartmouth Peak Performance, led by Stephen Gonzalez, the Corrigan Family Assistant Athletics Director for Leadership and Mental Performance, is a staple of sophomore summer. The program promotes the core values of development, resilience, ingenuity, valor and excellence.

In DRIVE, the participants met on Tuesdays and Thursdays and received valuable lessons while building camaraderie amongst their fellow classmates as they enter the second half of their collegiate experiences.

The 2024 edition wrapped up in early August. At the final event, which saw certificates for the six-week course handed out, Lane Murray of swimming reflected on the experience.

"I'd like to take a moment to appreciate what we have done," she said. "First and foremost, we have all made a claim about what is important to us. We all came into this program because we care about our performance, we care about our teammates and we care about achieving excellence as a team. And by applying to DRIVE and showing up each week, we have shown that we are willing to act upon these priorities.

"This is no small feat, and if nothing else, I hope you have all glimpsed at what you are willing to do for the sake of improving and becoming a leader."

Gonzalez admitted this summer's participants were "probably the most competitive I saw." The group was broken up into teams, which competed against each other all summer.

"Each and every week, whether it was raining or a threat of rain, navigating campus construction and just taking the time to show up at 4:30 after a long day of lifts and in the heat, our student-athletes brought their best, not just for themselves, but also for those in their groups," said Gonzalez.

As Gonzalez spoke to the group at the final DRIVE celebration: "So many of you, despite not knowing one another very well, were able to come together so fast and so quickly and effectively communicate, lean on each other and eventually navigate random things that were thrown at you."

One beauty of DRIVE is having such a diverse group of student-athletes all working together.

"I've started to understand that there's not one mold or sign of being a leader," said Murray. "Just as we all have diverse interests, majors and unique character traits — something highlighted by the test we took during the first week — our leadership style styles will vary as well, and that's actually fantastic news for our teams. Our teams will benefit from a range of leadership styles and being able to adapt to different situations as needed, through our physical challenges and the character trait assessments."

Murray believes people should focus on their strengths by "actually embracing and refining our best qualities, which not only boosts our own confidence, but also helps inspire and uplift the teammates around us."

Mitchell-Day learned the importance of accountability through his time in DRIVE.

"Being responsible for holding yourself and your teammates to a defined standard set by your program is crucial," he said. "True leadership exudes accountability, and it's essential to embody this quality if you want to lead effectively. Accountability is not just about making sure tasks are completed or goals are met; it's about setting a standard of excellence and commitment that others can follow."

Another lesson Mitchell-Day learned was the difference between listening and hearing.

"As leaders, our job is to listen, which means truly considering other perspectives to effectively communicate our thoughts in a group setting," he said. "It's about fostering an environment where everyone feels heard and respected. Listening is an active process, and that requires empathy and an open mind."

Those who participated in DRIVE were very open to the prospect of improving in the area of leadership and they end the summer better off for it… and with newfound friends and connections across the department.

As Gonzalez said to the DRIVE class, "When I see you all on the Green with your various backpacks — the rugby backpack with the football backpack with the sailing backpack — how do you all know each other? Oh yeah, that was a team from DRIVE.

"That's really cool," Gonzalez continued. "I can't tell you how much that just brings a level of joy to me as somebody in this position who gets to be a part of your journey through your education here at Dartmouth."

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Summer Highlighted by Another Successful DRIVE Program

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Summer Highlighted by Another Successful DRIVE Program

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