Oakdale High School Football: A Championship Built on Selflessness and Resilience

For ten years, Lead ‘Em Up has worked to develop leaders and build cohesive teams. As we celebrate this milestone, we’re looking back at some of the championship teams that exemplify the power of culture and leadership.

Next up in our series is the 2023 Oakdale High School Football team, a group that went on a mission to avenge a heartbreaking loss and ended up finding a championship culture. Under Coach Kurt Stein, the team had all the talent they could ask for, but they knew talent alone wouldn’t be enough to reach the top. It was their focus on being a “Green Team” and a commitment to selflessness that ultimately carried them to a state title.

We sat down with Coach Stein and senior player Hunter Thompson to hear their perspective on what made this season so special.

The Hunger to Finish the Job

The motivation for the 2023 season started long before the first kickoff. The previous year, the team had lost the state title game in a close match. That defeat fueled a fire that burned all offseason. Coach Stein knew the hunger was there, but he also recognized the need for a stronger team bond.

“The guys were very motivated to avenge that loss and finish the job this time around,” Coach Stein said. “With the returning starters and the three guys already committed to D1, we knew we were going to have the talent. I was just wondering if we were willing to be a ‘team’, stay ‘Green’, and finish the job this time around.”

To ensure the team’s chemistry was as strong as their talent, they decided to bring in Lead ‘Em Up. “We felt that we needed a boost in team chemistry, that is why we decided to bring in Adam and the Lead ‘Em Up team,” he explained. “Adam helped get the ball rolling in the right direction for our guys, and then the players did a great job of taking the lessons to heart.”

The “Green Team” Mentality

While many lessons had an impact, both Coach Stein and Hunter agreed that the focus on being a “Green Team” was the most important. A “Green Teammate” is someone who is consistently positive, supportive, and focused on the collective goal, as opposed to being a “Red Teammate” who is selfish or negative.

“The focus on the Green Team, and players never being in the red, really hit home with us and helped us get over the edge,” Coach Stein shared. “On that particular team, there were moments of important players being red.” This emphasis on accountability and selfless behavior was crucial.

Hunter Thompson felt the difference from day one. “The team culture my senior year was the strongest I’ve had for a team. We had a lot of returning players… but we also grew our chemistry through the Lead ‘Em Up meetings. The meetings allowed us to grow in ways outside of football, which made us stronger on the field.”

Leadership That Sets the Tone

This season, leadership wasn’t about who was the loudest; it was about who was the hardest worker. Coach Stein pointed to quarterback Evan Austin and wide receiver Hunter Thompson as players who led by example.

“Our QB Evan Austin and our WR Hunter Thompson took it upon themselves to be the hardest workers in practice every day,” Coach Stein said. “Despite being two of the best players, they made sure they practiced and conditioned harder than anyone else. This leading by example helped raise the bar for every player on the team.”

This resonated with Hunter, who said he was never a naturally vocal leader. “Knowing that there are different ways to lead helped me last season. I was never a vocal person but knowing I could lead by example helped me become a better leader.”

A Team That Couldn’t Be Killed

Ultimately, the Oakdale team’s hard work and strong culture translated into a winning mentality that was tested time and time again.

“This team was never put down by anything bad that happened. They quite literally couldn’t be killed,” Coach Stein reflected. “In any close game, they always played their best when it mattered and found a way to win.” Hunter felt the same, noting that in tough moments, “all the players didn’t waver and stayed focused and did it as a team. I don’t think that happens without Lead ‘Em Up.”

For the Oakdale Bears, the championship wasn’t just a result of talent. It was the culmination of a selfless, resilient, and focused effort. As Hunter Thompson perfectly summarized, “Everyone cared about team success and was willing to do whatever it took to help our team win. I’ve never been a part of a team as selfless as that team was.”