Saturday, October 22, 2011

Houston Golf Returns from Weekend Retreat

NavySEALs, team-building exercises prepare Cougars for 2011-12 season
HOUSTON, TEXAS (August 30, 2011) With the fall season less than two weeks away, the University of Houston golf team recently returned from a weekend retreat designed to inspire and energize the student-athletes.

Head coach Jonathan Diskmuke, assistant coach Chris Hill and the 2011-12 Cougar team recently took part in a retreat in The Woodlands. During that time, members of the team went through team-building activities and set goals for the upcoming campaign.

For Dismuke, getting away from the campus and the Athletics Department for a few days is a great way for the student-athletes to focus a little more and get to know each other better.

“We get away from the city for a few days and come together to establish goals and get our mind right for the beginning of theseason,” said Dismuke, who begins his third season with the Cougars. “This weekend was about establishing a championship culture for us and building what we want to become in the future.”

One of the highlights for all team members was listening to a pair of Navy SEALs. On Friday night, the team listened to an active duty SEAL member, who cut an impressive figure in his white uniform bedecked with rows of ribbons. That SEAL member, who could not be identified by name or in photographs due to his current status, shared his story of overcoming poverty to become a leader in one of the military’s most prestigious and lethal units.

SEAL Commander Mark McGinnis spoke to the Cougars on Friday night and Saturday morning. As a leader of more than 400 successful missions during his military career, McGinnis emphasized the importance of brotherhood among team members, attention to detail, organization and building a championship culture to the Cougars. With an engaging style and endless military stories, McGinnis held the Cougars’ attention for hours each day.

“The Navy SEALs are one of the most respected organizations in the world. The culture they have created is second to none,” Dismuke said. “Their hard work, dedication and sacrifice have established Navy SEALs as an example for the rest of the world. I couldn’t think of a better group to speak to, challenge and inspire our team, and we were very fortunate to have them come out this weekend.”

The Cougars open the 2011 fall season when they compete at the Gopher Invitational on Sept. 11-12 at Spring Hill Golf Club in Wayzata, Minn.

No comments:

Post a Comment