Port Washington: Transforming Teams Through Leadership

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Port Washington: Transforming Teams Through Leadership

Led by the dynamic duo of Eric Sutz and Sean Dooley Port Washington became one of the earliest adopters of Lead ‘Em Up utilizing the program for Dooley’s basketball team and Sutz his softball team starting in 2018.

Over the next couple of years, you couldn’t help but notice the difference between those two programs which led the new athletic Director Nick Schratweiser to begin coordinating with the community, receiving grants to help roll out the program throughout the entire athletic program.

Now a staple within the program, every season is kicked off with an in-person, Lead ‘Em Up campus day training and supported by continued teaching facilitated by the coaches throughout the season.

All the players know the language and all the athletes are embracing the program season after season.

But it didn’t stop there. Sutz connected Lead ‘Em Up to the elementary school he teaches at (Salem Elementary) and for the last four years straight Lead ‘Em Up has led all of the professional development with the full support of their Principal Dr. Pia Ferrante.

During those years, Dr. Ferrante and Schratweiser invited administration and superintendents to experience Lead ‘Em Up and now Weber Middle School and Schrieber High School Lead ‘Em Up staff professional development on an annual basis.

Have fun and #LeadEmUp

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2025 Green 13 Recipients

2025 Green 13 Recipients

The Green 13 Award celebrates student-athletes who lead with heart, uplift others, and consistently live out what it means to be a great leader.

Podcasts

The Green Room Ep. 4: Unleashing The Secret to Leadership – Why It Starts with Being Leadable

The Green Room Ep. 4: Unleashing The Secret to Leadership – Why It Starts with Being Leadable

Watch the full video here: leademup.com/greenroom

What if the key to unlocking leadership potential in your team isn’t just about developing others, but about being the kind of person who is a joy to lead? In this episode, we dive into the often-overlooked truth: leadership flows best through people who are enjoyable to lead. You’ll learn the four traits of these individuals and how cultivating them can create a culture where leadership multiplies.

We’ll also explore a simple yet powerful question: Where are you today? Challenging, easy, or enjoyable to lead? Your answer could change everything about how you lead, and how others rise around you

The Green Room Ep. 4: Unleashing The Secret to Leadership – Why It Starts with Being Leadable

Green Room Ep. 3: Know Me to Lead Me – The Power of Connection on Championship Teams

Watch the full video here: leademup.com/greenroom

You can’t challenge someone to be great if you haven’t earned their trust. In this episode, we unpack one of the most overlooked truths in sports leadership: before you can lead me, you need to know me.

Championship teams aren’t just talented, they’re connected. They build relationships deep enough to allow for honest feedback, accountability, and real growth. So why do most teams skip straight to “calling each other out” without laying the foundation? In this episode, we will explore the truth that you can’t challenge someone to be their best until you’ve earned their trust, and that trust only comes through genuine connection. This episode breaks down why peer leadership often fails in sports teams and how coaches and players can build the kind of culture where teammates lead each other effectively.

Download the Green Room Player Reflection Template, a simple PDF that coaches can use to have their players reflect on the episode. It’s perfect for sparking discussion and capturing key takeaways.

Download here: https://leademup.com/the-green-room-player-reflection-worksheet/

Get Part 1 Free

Get access to part 1 of the Green Team Framework FREE!