Testimonials from Top Coaches, Athletes and Administrators
Pat Summitt, Tennessee Women’s Basketball Coach, 8-time National Champions
“I have great admiration and respect for Jeff Janssen’s work with coaches and student-athletes. His innovative ideas have made a difference in our program as well as many programs across the country. He has the unique ability to transform critical concepts like leadership, team building, and mental toughness into practical and easy to use strategies that can be implemented by coaches and athletes alike.”
Anson Dorrance, North Carolina Women’s Soccer Coach, 21-time National Champions
“The Carolina Leadership Academy is one of the finest things our athletic department has done in the over thirty years I have been here. I can clearly see the program's impact on and off the field.”
Jeff Long, Arkansas Athletics Director
“I’ve been in the business 30 years and there are a lot of different programs I’ve seen. What the Janssen Sports Leadership Center does is the best out there. It builds on itself. It is not a one-time seminar. You will see a change in student-athletes in terms of leadership on the field, in the classroom, and everywhere else.”
Dick Baddour, North Carolina Athletics Director Emeritus
“The Carolina Leadership Academy has made a major impact on our athletic department. We've seen big benefits and continually get great feedback from our student-athletes and coaches. Based on our experience at Carolina, I can assure you this program will make a difference.”
CeCe Marizu, Former University of Illinois Swimmer Student-Athlete
“Jeff is an amazing motivator and a truly great listener. He challenged the student-athletes at the University of Illinois to become greater than they imagined, not just in their sport, but in life. He also encouraged us to give back to our local community and to be the selfless and courageous leaders that would impact our university, community, country, and the world. Jeff's passion and commitment to the Leadership Academy is indomitable. He has had an immeasurable impact on so many student-athletes lives. He's given many of us the confidence to succeed, the willingness to do more, and the commitment needed for life.”
Kathy Kaler, Illinois Life Skills Director
“Jeff Janssen is the top expert on sports leadership at the collegiate level. He has truly inspired our student-athletes to set higher standards for themselves and their teams and has equipped them with the tools and confidence to be effective leaders. Our student-athletes love the Illini Leadership Academy and frequently ask for more workshops. I simply cannot say enough about the work Jeff has done.”
Jay Price, Illinois Men's Basketball Assistant Coach
"The Illini Leadership Academy shows the magnitude that the athletic department will go to to make sure the teams are successful. It gives us every opportunity to win. It's something we use in recruiting. We tell parents, 'Not only will your son become a better basketball player, but we are going to teach him how to become a better leader.' It's a big selling point for us."
Marcus Ginyard, Former North Carolina Men’s Basketball Student-Athlete
“The Carolina Leadership Academy has been an extremely important part of my growth as both a person and a leader. CLA has brought together athletes from all sports and is breeding experienced, enthusiastic and motivated leaders who will continue to represent themselves, the University and the community with class and professionalism.”
Roy Williams, North Carolina Men's Basketball Coach, 2-time National Champions
"Thanks for all you do with our leaders!"
Christine Lux, Former Notre Dame Softball Student-Athlete
“The Rosenthal Leadership Academy is a great program that really helps student-athletes become better leaders. Not only did I learn a lot about myself, I also learned how to better deal with the challenges of being a leader. I feel more prepared and confident in my leadership abilities having been part of the Academy.”
Jeff Jackson, Notre Dame Hockey Coach
“The Rosenthal Leadership Academy has done a great job in helping our captains prepare for the challenges of effective leadership. The Academy has also had a positive impact on our team’s culture by educating our leadership group on how to deal with the finer details of leadership and team building.”
Dave Van Horn, Arkansas Baseball Coach
"The Razorback Leadership Academy continues to be an integral part of the growth and development of our program. The leadership principles outlined and the practical applications provided are extremely beneficial to our student-athletes and our entire coaching staff."
Rene Cook, Arkansas Gymnastics Co-Head Coach
"The inclusiveness of the Razorback Leadership Academy to include student-athletes, coaches, and staff is one way in which Razorback Athletics separates itself from other athletic programs. Myself, our staff, and our student-athletes have and will continue to benefit from this program."
John Beilein, Michigan Men's Basketball Coach
"Jeff Janssen’s work with our student-athletes through the Michigan Leadership Academy has been tremendous. His ability to communicate with our student-athletes, along with his ability to draw student-athletes into deeper discussions about leadership is outstanding. We are fortunate to work with Jeff and experience firsthand the way he gives student-athletes insight into how they think, how they perceive, how they process, and how they can become great teammates and performers."
Andy Coen, Lehigh Football Coach
"Our football program has benefited significantly from our interaction with Julie Sterrett and the Leadership program which she directs at Lehigh. I have seen the leadership on our team improve each year and it has made a positive impact on the culture of our football program."
Karen Adams, Lehigh Senior Associate Director of Athletics
"The Lehigh Athletics Leadership Academy is the highest rated student-athlete program offered to our athletes as documented by our senior athlete exit interview survey. It is valued by students in terms of developing their own leadership style and enhancing their team culture to accomplish their goals. Julie's approach is engaging, dynamic, and effective as noted by our students and coaches. There is an exciting "buzz" in our department about the program."
