How people think a winning culture is made can be received in many different forms, shapes and sizes. It is all down to interpretation and the environment you are in. What the needs are for that specific company, sports team, classroom, grocery store is all very different, they all have cultures but differentiate in more ways than one.
How to map out a perfect formula for a program in the NCAA Division 1 Soccer environment is what every coach across the country is constantly striving for. Creating a culture takes years within a program and has to built on solid foundations and values. If you were to ask any Athletic Director at Division 1 level ‘’How would you measure success for the teams, that represent the university?’’ The answer would be the same from the majority, two common answers. Number one is the amount of wins the team achieved in the season. Number two would be the cumulative grade point average (GPA) for the team at the end of the school year. From a statistical standpoint these two areas can be measured accurately as statistics always tell the truth. Below is a breakdown of some of the most recognisable universities for student-athletes https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/best-student-athletes/
Its down to the coach’s to recruit players who fit into the makeup of the program. Characteristics such as Integrity, discipline, patience and respect are big components of a winning culture. Being able to battle on the field for 90 minutes away from home, arrive back to the university, sleep for three hours and still get up and attend an 8:00 AM class, is the sort of commitment and discipline that student-athletes carry out in order for their respective program to maintain a winning culture. Being part of a division 1 university as student-athletes have access to resources that division 2 and 3 schools do not get. With that comes greater expectation for student-athletes to succeed, dealing with pressures of coaches about athletic performance and academic performance is constant.
Here is a great look into what a typical day is for a NCAA Division 1 Men’s Soccer player https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D7oJ3niqJc
Another big part of creating a wining culture within a soccer program is the role of delegation. Coach’s have to allow the upperclassman the chance to take responsibility and accountability for their team mates. Its vital that the team captains and team leaders show the way for the underclassman and lead by example. Without delegating responsibility to the upperclassman, building a internally strong and successful program cannot be achieved by a coach and his coaching staff. The phrase “leaders developing leaders” is something that should be highlighted. It’s a phrase that solidifies the idea of delegation and how important it is when looking to build a winning culture. The art of delegation can be used for many other areas other than soccer, this is shown clearly in an article by Huffpost below http://tiny.cc/akdcaz
Having said before that a winning culture could mean something completely different depending on who you are asking. For me it’s the Integrity, discipline, patience and respect. Having been a part of a NCAA division 1 men’s soccer program and captained it too, these four attributes are what I feel carry the most value in the making of a winning culture
NCAA Soccer - A Coach's Life 