Episode Transcript
[00:00:02] Speaker A: Welcome to 1810, a podcast produced by the Lawrenceville School. In 18 minutes and 10 seconds, we will explore the future of education with insights from bright minded individuals, inspiring new ways of thinking. I'm Napoleon Sykes. I'm the head football coach. I'm here today with CJ Nawadi, who's a junior here at the Lawrenceville School. And we'll just talk a little bit today about our football program.
So, like during football season, on Mondays we do a dance class. The varsity football team, JVS usually has games on Monday when they don't have games. So like on Mondays, for an hour and a half, they're in Clark downstairs with Derrick Wilder. You know, stretching, learning like dance movements, right? And so like, you know, some of that is just cross training, right? I think some of it is like we, we live in a time when everybody's specializing, right? And, and it gives you an opportunity to move differently, but it also does put you in a different space, right? Like, think about it. How many guys on the team would have ever come in this building if they didn't need to come in this building? You know what I mean? So like, you bring a lot of guys that would never experience like the music building, right? And they're over here and then, you know, they're working with Derek Wilder. We do an hour long, hour and a half long stretch, right?
There is a dance component to it. It's funny because the guys will get upset when there's not enough dance component to it. Like, we had a couple. Yeah, yeah, we had a couple of years ago.
The guys are like, come on, Coach Wilder, we're not doing enough dance. We're doing too much stretching, you know what I mean? So like, and, but at the beginning it's like, oh, we got to go over there and dance. And then, you know, three weeks in is, you know.
But then I think the other piece to it is like, you guys end with what, meditation? Yeah, you know what I mean? Like, I think that's a cool piece where, you know, you get this moment at the end with 40 or 50 high school age boys to sit quietly and have a moment where they are like really introspective.
It's like amazing.
[00:02:03] Speaker B: I mean, my freshman year, I remember when we first they used to be called Wilder Wednesdays because we used to have Saturday school at the time. So we'd have them on the half day on Wednesday. And I remember at first everyone was complaining, but then once we started it, especially after games, everyone's bodies would feel so much better. And when we didn't have it last year. So many kids were complaining, like, every single day.
So we were begging. And the captains and Coach Poe worked with everyone, with coach Wilder to get it back this year. And every single day we get in there, everyone's focused up. You get that stretch in, and you body feels so much better. After a game, do a little bit of dancing. And then obviously, the core workout is not fun, but definitely a necessary part. But I feel like that's also just a big thing of, like, team bonding. Like, obviously, you're doing some interesting stretching positions, and being able to be in there and not giggle and not laugh and just actually focus up is a pretty cool thing.
[00:02:55] Speaker A: And I think that kind of goes into that piece where, you know, like, at the parent meeting at the beginning of the summer, you know, I talk to them a lot about the boy that comes out the other side, right? So, like, you. You're going to send your son here. And, like, I have two boys, they're, you know, they're middle schoolers now, and, like, you can get like, four or five words out of them every now and then. And that is just like, how we're. That's how we are wired. And then in American culture, that's how boys are wired, that we're just supposed to, like, be tough and not talk and don't talk about your feelings. And I always tell the parents, I'm like, guys, you're gonna see a different side of your sons in a few months because, like, we're gonna talk. We're gonna cry. Like, we. We cry a lot in preseason, right? And, like, because we. We have these moments where the last meeting of preseason is. Is. Is always a very heavy meeting.
So, like, that is the meeting that we talk.
Coach Jill talks to the team about just some of her experiences as a young woman, right? Like, going through some of those moments of how she was treated by men, right? And like, also just navigating this profession, which is crazy. So you have this moment where you are talking to someone that you have a great level of respect for, but they're also sharing something that is very intimate to them, right? And so it is this moment of, like, this vulnerability, right? So it allows.
It gives this safe space for our kids to, like, let their guard down. And then we let the seniors talk, right? So this is like, the last time they get to talk before the season, you know? And, like, some of these guys have only been here for what, like, at that time, like, 10 days, 14 days, you know, and you hear, like, really Cool moments, right? So, like, we had a. We had a student this year that, like, talked about at his previous school. He was kind of bullied, you know, but he was like, I didn't fit in. Like, there weren't people like me in my town, you know, and he's like, I've been here for 10 days, and I. I feel like I'm. I should have been here the whole time, you know? But it is these moments where. Or you have guys that, like, I was done with football. I was done with football. Like, I could not stand football. I hated football. My coaches, the culture of the team, it just made it not something that I wanted to do anymore. But what we've created and what you guys have created, like the players, it allows a bunch of high school boys to open up. And I think that trickles down throughout the year because you guys. You open up the door, right? And then it's going to get a little bit wider as the year goes on. And I think that is this, like, emotional intelligence that comes from what we do and. And growth, where you guys have these opportunities to, like, which I. Which I was taught, like, at Gilman, which is like, we want you to feel like the world tells us men are not supposed to do all these things, but, like, that's what we need. That's why we, like, we struggle when we're in our older age, because we're not. We're not really good at connecting with other people and specifically other men. Right. So, like, that's one of the big things that we're trying to create here, is that, like, at an early age, you get used to doing that, like, leaning on another man, like, asking somebody for help.
[00:06:12] Speaker B: Yeah. I mean, that conversation every single year gets me. But this year, specifically, because it's like, these guys are only a year older than me. Like, a bunch of us came in at the same time. And it was like seeing some of these guys who are people who would put it all on the line on the football field, pushing everybody to the highest standard possible, opening up about their past and how they feel about things. Like, it's very different, especially when you've known these people for a long time, and sometimes you didn't know this information about them. You wouldn't expect this information from this person. And I feel like that's definitely a reason that we're one of the closest teams on campus, if not the closest, because we're able to have conversations like that, and there's no snickering or any laughing when someone says something that is very personal to them. Like, everyone's genuinely listening, and I feel like that's a big deal. Like, the fact that you're able to genuinely just speak and be heard is something that doesn't happen often. It also comes back to the houses. Right. I mean, Enoch is one of the leaders on our team, and he's a prefect right now. And I don't think there's another prefect better than him out there. I mean, he is one of those guys where if you need to talk about anything, he will be able to come and talk to you and he will just listen for as many hours as you need. And I feel like that's a big thing. After those conversations, we realize that, yeah, we are able to have those conversations, but other people need those conversations too. So you take it back to the houses. Someone's going through something in your house. You might never know because you're living with 40 kids. You'd only really talk to your friends. That's why house culture is such a big thing, because everyone has to be connected and everyone's getting along.
[00:07:39] Speaker A: Yeah. And you guys practice that on a daily basis. Like, one of the cool ones for me. And it just. At the end of practice, and I don't know where this started, but, like, the kids walk, they hang around on the field, and they thank the coaches every day.
I don't know where it started, but it's like genuine gratitude, you know, like, the kids are, like, very grateful for what we're all doing, you know, not necessarily what we're doing for you guys, but I think it's just like a daily reminder that we were all enjoying this. You know what I'm saying? So it's like this. This moment of collective gratitude. Like, thank you. Like, kids are just like, coach, come over, shake your hand, give you a hug. Thanks, coach. Which is neat because from a coaching standpoint, you know, obviously, like, you. You want the kids to feel they are enjoying their time, but I think it's more than just, like, they're thanking us. They're just saying, like, I'm thankful for this. You get kids that are playing other sports and they've done other things. And, like, we have our before the hill game. You know, we do. We do a senior lap, right? And so, like, we. After the last practice, the team goes up in the stands and then the seniors and managers. So, like, this year, it'll be like our seniors in Lily. They do this lap. They walk around the field, and it's just them. It's very quiet, like the team sits and stands there. There's no noise. And it's just this, like, you know, I, like, get emotional because we did the same thing when I was in high school. And it was like, it's your last lap. And so they, like, walk around, and then they come back and talk to the team. And it really is just, like, a show of gratitude by the seniors for what they've gotten from this.
[00:09:17] Speaker B: I feel like a big aspect that we haven't talked about yet enough is that fact that we're boarding here. So all these football players are coming, and they're staying here, and we're not. After preseason, we all get split up. So kids you might have been best friends with in preseason, you go to a different house.
But I feel like the biggest thing that, like, we all say thank you for, at least me personally, after practice, is just the fact that, like, I'm here and that I have such a coaching staff, like, outside of the football bit. Like, I don't know. I know for a fact I wouldn't be the person that I am right now without you and Coach Roz and Coach Jill. And thinking about that sometimes is just like, wow. Cause it's like, most people are just gonna stay at home. Like, boarding school isn't really, like, a big thing from Baltimore. Like, you go to Gilman or you go to McDonough, you go to college, and that's pretty much it. But, like, coming here and, like, growing on my own, like, obviously, my parents are still, like, we're in contact often, but it's very different when you have to go and make your own decisions and get yourself to class on time and do all these things. So it's like, at the end of the practice, like, I'm just very grateful for the opportunity that I have because never would have met Colt if I had come here. I mean, that's my brother at this point. Never would have met Simon, never would have met Jack, never would have met Sean, Christian, Derek, like, all these guys. So it's just like, when we say thank you, I feel like it's more thank you for the opportunity. Because I know there's also a lot of guys on the team who don't really know what they would have done without this opportunity.
[00:10:32] Speaker A: Yeah, it's like a daily reminder that we're doing something right. I've always created this kind of environment in my position group, you know, and then I was like, when I get a chance to run a whole program, I want to be able to do that on a much larger Scale. Create an environment where boys can be safe, you know what I mean? Where young women that want it to get into sports or want it to get into coaching can come there. Like, it was funny. It was in the.
The petty game. The referee goes like, how do you have all these female coaches? And I was like, well, we really only have one. And I was like, but those three girls right there are our managers. They're signaling, they're breaking down film.
They are just an extension of the coaching staff. And I'm like. Because I wanted to create a space where we can bring in young women to get what we are trying to do with you guys, but also have this opportunity where they can grow in a sport and growing, you know, in a profession. Like Jackie Courtney, that was here a couple years ago, like, she is well on her way. And Liza is probably going to end up being a sports agent down the road. And she's doing some, like, stuff at UVA with their athletic department. You know, Jillian from the other year, she's like a EMT and, like, doing some stuff at Michigan. So, like, that was what I wanted to create. I think you have the ability to, like, have high standards and have goals and complete all those goals, but throughout that process, still be a man of service. Right? Where you serve other people and try and help other people up, up the ladder.
[00:11:55] Speaker B: And that's the legacy you want to leave behind.
[00:11:57] Speaker A: Yeah, for sure. I mean, I think you never know how long you're going to be at a place, but, like, I hope that people remember this version of Lawrenceville football as the program that was just more than just football.
[00:12:06] Speaker B: Right.
[00:12:07] Speaker A: Like, we want it to be. When I talked to Mr. Murray about this job in 2021, you know, the main thing that I told him is I wanted to create a program that was a part of the school.
I just truly believe that what we were, what I wanted to do with it would be good for everybody. Not just like the kids in the program, 100%, you know what I mean?
[00:12:28] Speaker B: And then obviously we just talked about your legacy. But what do you plan to do for the future? Because I feel like the future and the past is such a funny thing. Cause I met you three years ago at this point, and it feels like it was just yesterday. Now I have one more year left.
[00:12:40] Speaker A: So you went to the Calvert School, right? I went to Calvary School. You know what I mean?
Very different schools.
When I was there, it ended at sixth grade. You went all the way through eighth grade. They added eighth grade.
When I started here in Admissions, you know, obviously, like, my territory is like the South.
And so I'm like, you know, I got Calvert. So they're like, hey, we got it. We got a kid. We got a kid. Then we met each other at the Calvert School high school night.
[00:13:07] Speaker B: I feel like the biggest thing is, like, being a Baltimore kid. Like, you're expected to kind of just go to.
Especially being, like, recruited for football in general, like, to high school. It was kind of like, oh, you're going to get McDonough or Gilman or one of these Baltimore schools and stay here. So I wasn't really taking any of the boarding schools seriously. My parents were like, no, you have to go up to every single booth. I was like, okay, I understand. So I'm going up and I'm talking to everybody and I'm talking to Lawrenceville and I see Coach Poe and I'm just having a conversation with him. I'm not really taking it that seriously. Just learning about the school. I was like, there's no way that high schools can be this big. Like, there's no way. Looking at the map, I'm like, so how many fields do you guys have?
But yeah, I mean, it was definitely a spark there. Like, I could tell that there was something to you that kind of drew everyone in the room around to the Lawrenceville school. And then I interviewed. Seriously. And then after I got in, I get a call and I'm like, oh, who's this? And it was you. And I was like, oh, like, I'm still going to McDonough. Like, I don't know why you're calling me right now. And then I came and I toured the school and immediately I was like, yeah, I'm coming here. Yep, it was a done deal. Like I told my dad, after I met some of the guys on the football team, it was Ace Lumpurst and it was Raphael. And right after that, we're walking back to the car and I was just like, yeah, I'm coming here.
I mean, me and you sat down in your office, we had a good 30 minute long conversation. I was able to realize he cares about every single player that's on the team. He could tell you each person's situation, what each person's dealing with.
It's not just a football coach. I mean, I can talk to you about anything you've been in. Pretty much every situation I've been in at this point. And even more so, I feel like every single day I can just come for advice and everything. Yeah, man.
[00:14:48] Speaker A: And I think that is the Legacy that we're trying to build.
Just as one of, you know, we were able to create something that had legs, one of impact, right? And, like, I think the legacy that we're. That I want to leave here is not just, like, my impact or our staff's impact, but, like, our program's impact. So, like, what our entire program is as a whole, like, what we left as coaches and as managers and as players, like, the impact collectively that we've had on the culture of this place, not just the culture of our program, I think, is what we're. We want to. To leave the legacy of something of service. Right? We came here and we built something that is a part of every little fabric of the community.
[00:15:33] Speaker B: And I feel like my senior year is next year, so I'm excited even beyond that. I mean, I know there's guys who've already left and are looking forward to that, so could you tell us a little bit more about that?
[00:15:42] Speaker A: Yeah, for sure. I mean, you know, the. The future looks bright. I mean, like, I think, you know, this is year five, right? And so, like, I think more people are seeing.
They're seeing what we're doing, and there's a lot of good energy behind it, right? And, like, so I think, you know, the future is just a snowball effect of what we're doing right now. You know, obviously, we're doing well, and we're, like, you know, well on our way to put together, you know, four straight winning seasons, which is great. I think we've kind of changed what people think about football now around campus. They're like, oh, he's a football guy.
[00:16:19] Speaker B: You can be proud of him. Yeah.
[00:16:20] Speaker A: You know what I mean? And, like, people are like, oh, the football guys, you know, and it's a different tone with it because of how we do things. I mean, like, one of the funniest ones is, like, when we move the freshman, we move the freshman in. Like, some of these parents are looking at the guys like, do they work here? You know, and, like, you know, they look at you guys, and they're like, is this. Is that a child that is gonna go to school?
My son or daughter? You're like, yes. You know, and, like. But I think it's this really cool moment where, you know, we.
On day one, for all of our incoming freshmen, we, like, strip away the idea of, like, the big, scary football guy because they're, like, down there, you know, like, we're with. You know, like, with jb and we're singing Dash Benefield in front of the, you know, girls lower and boys lower and we're like moving bags upstairs. I think that it's, it's, it's just that's what we're trying to leave here, right? And so like this, this program in this space where, you know, boys can grow up in a safe space and like truly grow, like grow mentally, emotionally, physically, you know, accomplish all your goals, go play if you want to, go do whatever you want to afterwards. But like this space where, you know, we can do both, we can try and win games. We're going to build a program and, you know, do the work that a lot of people aren't doing.
[00:17:45] Speaker B: That's 1810 for today. Inspiring ideas from Lawrenceville to you. We look forward to our next exploration. If you have comments or questions about today's episode, please reach out to communicationrenceville.org A transcript of today's episode is available at elvo1810.castos.com.
