A true test of leadership
Vinny Polignano was challenged with the task of leading a Division 1 athletics team through a year of uncertainty.
Vinny Polignano has been a leader his whole life. But the Division 1 hurdler and high-jumper could have never prepared himself for what the pandemic would bring.
For most members of the Lehigh University track and field team, this past year was the most challenging year of their lives. For Polignano, it meant finding his own way through the pandemic, while also lifting the spirt of his teammates as team captain — all from a distance.
Polignano spent most of the past three seasons training alone in his house or finding creative ways to build strength outside.
No in-person coach. No facility access.
As an athlete who has always been given specific training plans with technical drills and feedback, it was difficult for him to start creating plans on his own. These personal challenges made it all the more difficult for him to put a smile on his face and carry others.
His duty as a teammate didn’t end at the personal level. Polignano had to organize his classwork, job and training schedules, and then find ways to stay engaged with his teammates as their leader.
How is an individual supposed to lead a group through such an uncertain time with no information themselves? It’s a lot to ask of a 21-year-old, but nonetheless, Polignano rose to the occasion and accepted the challenge.
Division 1 athletes typically live regimented and disciplined lifestyles in order to stay focused on their goals. This year tested the discipline and mental toughness of Polignano’s teammates more than ever, which in the end, showed who was whole-heartedly willing to fight.
In addition to serving as a team captain, Polignano has been a Student-Athlete Mentor, or SAM, for first-year student-athletes since his sophomore year. He was honest about the disheartening shift in attitude and morale this past year.
“I noticed some pretty big differences in the outlook of our first-years throughout the fall semester,” Polignano said. “It was honestly a little disheartening to see them floundering at points and just trying to keep all the plates spinning in the air. They were a bit more on edge than I was used to.”
He said first-years tend to join the program with some nerves but build overwhelming excitement by the time they get to compete. This year, the first-years came in eager to start college after the pandemic ended their high school season abruptly. But for some, that excitement and motivation faded as the year went on and the rules piled up.
The change was difficult to watch, but he knew it was out of the control of the athletes and coaches. This shift escalated his role as a leader and challenged him to be the best role model possible.
The situation wasn’t all bad for Polignano as he reflected on the many lessons he learned this year. From a strengthened mentality, to overall growth in maturity, Polignano has put a positive spin on the situation, an important trait of any team captain. He felt no desire to sugarcoat the situation. He laments the pandemic entirely. But he’s eager to share his excitement for his upcoming senior year — however that may look.
“While I can’t say I’m glad we had this experience this past year, I will say that we all grew through it, and we all know ourselves, and we know our teammates a little bit better,” he said.
Polignano is confident in the rising group of leaders on the men’s track and field team and hopes they can refocus the team's goals and excitement on more than just competition since that was something athletes have learned they can’t take for granted.
