When watching the Big Sky Eagles play, both during a game and at practice, their chemistry is palpable.
Whether it be congratulating each other after a play or helping each other up when they struggle, it was clear everyone a part of Big Sky football this year wanted themselves and their fellow players to improve.
The way they operate and work together shows just how strong the bonds they have formed are. And when asked about building a winning culture, players of the team cited things like hard work and team chemistry.
“It all starts in the weight room in the summer, then when we’re at practice and on the field we listen to the coaches,” said Kade Williams, a junior.
Mason Ramos, another junior on the team, expressed similar thoughts.
“We all like each other and have great team chemistry,” Ramos said.
The Eagles played 11 games this season, with a win to loss ratio of 8-3. The team’s success and effort is the result of a winning culture built by the team and the coaches over many years.
When asked about the culture, Big Sky Eagle’s football coach of 20 years and head coach of 14 years, Matthew Johnson, takes inspiration from John Wooden’s “Pyramid of Success,” building a foundation of cooperation and enthusiasm and building to the top of competitive greatness.
“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm,” Johnson said. “The same goes for hard work.”
As both a teacher and a coach, Johnson says that the football field is an extension of the classroom.
“Football should teach some of the greatest life lessons, you learn in a safe environment. You can learn about losing, but you have your team to help overcome it,” Johnson explained.
When asked about differences between seasons, Johnson mentioned the new seniors and how they “lead the way” for their juniors.
“Every year changes, we usually go by the way of our seniors and what they bring to the table,” Johnson said. “I think that different people leading helps as an example for the other players, but overall we’re the same, we all believe in one thing and we all move to it every year.”
He also said that winning wasn’t the most important thing for him or the team, it was success.
“Success isn’t just about winning. If we played the absolute best we possibly could and lose, we’d still be successful,” Johnson said.
