Odalis Rodriguez
  • Psychology
  • Class of 2016
  • El Paso, TX

Odalis Rodriguez a Member of McMurry Scholar-Athlete Leadership Academy

2017 Dec 20

Odalis Rodriguez is a member of the McMurry Scholar-Athlete Leadership Academy for 2017-18.

Just over a year ago, McMurry University Director of Athletics Sam Ferguson launched a program he had long envisioned, targeting young scholar-athletes and designed to accelerate and enhance their leadership potential. With that, Ferguson instituted McMurry's Scholar-Athlete Leadership Academy (SALA) for the War Hawks' intercollegiate athletics department.

The premise of the SALA is simple: identify freshmen or sophomore scholar-athletes who have those skills commonly identified in team leaders and help provide them a foundation before they are thrust into leadership roles on their respective teams. The SALA helps them become even stronger by the time they are upperclassmen via lectures and real-world experiences. Some of the key areas that the SALA focuses on are conflict resolution, valuing differences, leadership and character, and the power of positivity.

The program's launch in 2016-17 consisted of participants selected by coaches and events consisting of speakers who came to campus. But it laid the groundwork for the future. Now, in just its second year, the SALA has ballooned to 30 of McMurry's best and brightest scholar-athletes. Each SALA member had to apply for acceptance into the program and will have the chance to be involved in several exciting opportunities to learn and grow in 2017-18.

It is safe to say that Ferguson's vision for the SALA has really taken off this yearliterally. Evidence of this was the November 30 excursion to Dyess Air Force Base by the Academy participants, where the group got a V.I.P. tour and lecture from Lt. Col. Kevin Ripple, USAF (retired). Ripple, who now trains service men and women in a simulator on base, was a navigator for the B-1 bombers before returning to civilian life.

Ripple's primary message to the group dealt with the importance of rest and recovery for the crew members operating the B-1 bombers. Ripple related a personal story of a mission where - after a long flight - a crew he was on experienced a "gear-up landing" in a B-1 when (it was later determined) fatigue had resulted in the gear not being deployed as the plane came in. While the life-and-death situation - and multi-million dollar price tag - was far different than anything an athlete may face, the riveting account drew a direct correlation for the McMurry contingent on the importance of having one's body in optimal condition to perform the tasks at hand in academics and athletics, as well.

Ripple also gave McMurry's scholar-athletes a look at the bomb loading training facility at Dyess, where crews drill on the precision and importance of each person doing their job - while working in perfect harmony - in the handling of the weapons. The SALA members also were able to see training versions of the various types of bombs used by the B-1, with an explanation of the function of each.

Perhaps the biggest treat for the group was a tour of the Dyess AFB flight line, where they were able to witness the take-off and landing of two B-1's occurring at sunset, which magnified the majestic planes with the after-burn and powerful silhouette against the Big Country sky. Each War Hawk was also able to go up into the actual cockpit of a B-1.

"We couldn't be more excited about the direction of our Scholar-Athlete Leadership Academy," Ferguson said. "There are exciting plans for the spring semester and we kicked the program off with an amazing experience at Dyess Air Force Base. We were able to hear a great message regarding the importance of rest and recovery, tour some amazing military facilities, and climb into the cockpit of a B-1 Bomber. However, the most impactful part of the visit was simply rubbing elbows with true American heroes like Kevin and learning about the sacrifices our service men and women make for our freedom. It was a transformational experience for our scholar-athletes and me."

Operation of McMurry's SALA is made possible by the generosity of alumni and friends who have given via the War Hawks Club booster organization. In fact, McM alumni Steven and Shana Bristow have even established an endowment in support of this program, which is a true "game changer" for the War Hawks' scholar-athletes. Among the future events for spring of 2018 is a trip to Waco, Texas, for a visit with Hall of Fame coach - and McMurry alum - Grant Teaff.

"We appreciate and are grateful for those who have supported the Scholar-Athlete Leadership Academy, as this is just another way in which we are 'Developing Champions for Life'," Ferguson explained.