CHARLESTON, S.C.--Last week members of The Citadel's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) participated in an all-day community service project and leadership seminar at Cowpens National Battlefield, in Gaffney.
The SAAC representatives included members of the Bulldog football, basketball, men's track & field, soccer, volleyball and wrestling teams.
The cadet-student-athletes day began their day by participating in a community service project that included more than three hours of landscaping at the park. The primary tasks were to clear debris from winter storms and beautify the grounds surrounding the park's visitors' center.
The assistance of SAAC representatives was crucial as Cowpens National Battlefield only has three full-time maintenance persons for a park that consists of several hundred acres.
In the afternoon, the cadet-student-athletes participated in a three-hour leadership seminar, much of which was conducted by a National Park Service Park Ranger. Highlights of the seminar included a multimedia video and lighted map presentation on the Battle of Cowpens. Also included were an 18th century weapons demonstration and a guided tour of the battlefield. All of the presentations highlighted the contrasting styles of leadership of the commanders of the opposing forces.
The day was concluded with the cadet-student-athletes having an open discussion on what they had learned about leadership during the day and how they could apply it to their daily lives as leaders on their respective athletic teams and in the Corps of Cadets.
The seminar on the Battle of Cowpens also illustrated the importance of the community service project, as their work in the morning will play a small part in preserving the beauty of the park for future visitors.
"I think the event was a smashing success," said J.B. Weber, who serves as Assistant Director of Compliance and SAAC Advisor. "The student-athlete leaders on our SAAC were able to have a unique experience that combined an impactful community service project and a wonderful learning experience that they can apply to their daily lives at The Citadel."