Number of Participants: 40
Hours Donated: 12
Value of Time Served: $16,699
Event Type: Civic & Community
Activity: Football
School: Mounds View High School
Date: February 4, 2026
Location:
Mounds View High School
Lake Valentine Road, Arden Hills
MN
About:
Mounds View Football continues to show that the strongest programs are built not only on skill and strategy, but on leadership, connection, and purpose. Through its player-led leadership council, the Mustangs are empowering student-athletes to take ownership of their growth—both on and off the field.
Open to juniors and seniors, the leadership council brings together approximately 40 student-athletes each year. Meeting every other Wednesday morning during the off-season for an hour before school, the group serves as a cornerstone of the program’s intentional, player-driven culture.
Each session focuses on relationship-building and the development of key leadership traits. A central element of the council’s work is a guided book study, where athletes reflect individually, engage in small-group discussions, and then come together for full-group conversations to share perspectives and insights. These discussions challenge students to think critically about influence, accountability, and what it means to lead by example.
Beyond conversation and reflection, the leadership council also puts values into action through service projects—reinforcing the idea that leadership extends beyond the locker room and into the community.
By trusting student-athletes to lead, Mounds View Football is building a culture rooted in accountability, shared responsibility, and purpose. Programs like this highlight the true impact of education-based athletics: developing confident, thoughtful leaders prepared to make a meaningful difference long after the final whistle.
