A Lesson in Leadership from a Championship Team
Every now and then, a simple moment reveals a powerful lesson about leadership. That happened for me on January 28, 2016, when the Limestone University men’s lacrosse team visited the South Carolina State House in celebration of the Saints' 2015 NCAA Division II National Championship win over Le Moyne.
The team’s visit was a proud moment for everyone connected to Limestone. They were recognized with official resolutions passed by both the South Carolina House of Representatives and the Senate. The team had the honor of meeting Governor Henry McMaster, along with Senator Harvey Peeler, Representative Steve Moss, Representative Dennis Moss, and other dignitaries who wanted to congratulate the players and celebrate their achievement.
The team was led by head coach J.B. Clarke, who captured three of Limestone’s five total national championships during his time as head coach of the Saints. Clarke, who also won national titles at Limestone in 2014 and 2017, is now the head coach at the University of Tampa, continuing to build winning programs rooted in discipline and culture.
After the recognition ceremonies, we hosted a catered meal for the players and staff in one of the State House’s historic rooms. As everyone began lining up for food, I noticed something that surprised me. Coach Clarke told the freshmen to go first, followed by the sophomores, then the juniors, and finally the seniors. I remember thinking that the seniors, having earned their championship rings and their leadership roles, would surely go first.
But that was not the case.
After everyone was served, including the last senior and the final staff member, Coach Clarke calmly told the team they could begin eating. That was when I realized what was happening. The freshmen, sophomores, and juniors had all been served first, but none of them had touched their food.
They knew to wait.
The seniors and staff were served last, and that was simply the way the team always did it. It was a quiet tradition that honored the seniors and the people who had helped guide them. As a staff member, I had not known that until that moment.
It was a small gesture, but it carried a powerful message. The younger players served first not because they were more important, but because the team’s culture valued respect, patience, and shared discipline. No one eats until everyone is served. The seniors and staff go last, not out of obligation, but as a way to recognize their leadership and sacrifice.
That moment taught me something lasting about leadership. It is not always about going first, being recognized, or taking the spotlight. Sometimes it is about setting a standard, teaching respect, and showing that true leadership serves others before serving itself.
That day, surrounded by the echoes of history in the State House, I saw that the lessons of championship teams reach far beyond the scoreboard. They are found in the quiet, disciplined actions that reflect character, unity, and the kind of leadership that endures.
From left to right: Rep. Dennis Moss, head coach J.B. Clarke, Rep. Gary Clary, and Rep. Steve Moss pose for a photo during the Saints' catered lunch at the S.C. State House on Jan. 28, 2016.
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