Building a Championship Culture: Leadership, Legacy and Program Development

with Jenny Glenn,
American University Head Coach;
Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver);
2025 NCAA D II National Champions;
2025 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Regular Season Championship;
2025 RMAC Tournament Champions (6th consecutive);
3x AVCA South Region Coach of the Year (2016, 2021, 2025);
4x RMAC Coach of the Year (2016, 2021, 2022, 2023);
Northern Colorado Associate Head Coach from 2012 to 2015;
Northern Colorado Assistant Coach from 2006 to 2012;
USA Volleyball Collegiate National Team Assistant Coach in 2014

The most successful programs are built on strong cultures, clear vision, intentional leadership development, and meaningful relationships that create lasting impact long after athletes leave the program.

In this insightful video, you will learn how to build a program that stands for something bigger than competition. Beginning with the foundation of program development, 2025 National Championship coach Jenny Glenn explores how a clearly defined vision helps establish expectations, create alignment and guide decision making throughout every aspect of a program.

A major focus is placed on building a culture that athletes want to be part of. Coaches will learn how to establish a legacy driven environment where athletes understand their role in shaping the future of the program. Through discussions on vision, purpose, and organizational structure, coaches gain valuable ideas for creating standards that endure from season to season.

Leadership development is another key component of the presentation. Coaches will discover strategies for identifying, developing, and empowering leaders within their teams. Rather than relying solely on natural leaders, this presentation demonstrates how leadership can be intentionally cultivated throughout a program to strengthen accountability, communication, and team unity.

Special attention is given to understanding and connecting with today's athletes. Coaches will gain insight into the characteristics and learning preferences of modern generations and learn how to communicate more effectively through experiential learning, image rich teaching methods, and participatory activities. These concepts help coaches create environments where athletes remain engaged, invested, and motivated to contribute.

The presentation also explores the importance of athlete ownership and investment. Coaches learn how to create opportunities for athletes to take responsibility for the program's success through leadership laboratories, collaborative challenges, and team centered initiatives that encourage personal growth and commitment.

One of the most valuable discussions centers on helping athletes learn how to fail. Coaches will gain practical perspectives on teaching resilience, handling adversity, and helping players view setbacks as opportunities for development rather than obstacles to success. These lessons foster confidence, maturity, and long term growth both on and off the court.

Additional topics include creating championship manuals, organizing win groups, implementing team challenges, and building experiences that strengthen culture and deepen athlete connections. Throughout the presentation, coaches are encouraged to think critically about the role they play in shaping not only athletes, but future leaders.

Whether you are looking to strengthen your team culture, develop stronger leaders, improve athlete engagement, or create a sustainable program built on shared values, this video provides a thoughtful roadmap for building a program that thrives year after year!

52 minutes. 2026.