JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri National Guard will host more than 22 University of Missouri men's basketball players and coaches at Camp Crowder in Neosho, Mo., for leadership and team-building training Aug. 24
University of Missouri men's basketball coach Frank Haith contacted the Missouri National Guard after learning of a leadership training event the Guard ran for the university's football team, said Capt. Brian Hatcher, operations officer for the Missouri National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion.
"The Mizzou players and coaches will experience the military steps taken to prepare and perform real, military training scenarios," said Hatcher. "We will ensure every player is put into a leadership position during their time at Camp Crowder. We will provide guidance and pointers on how to be a better leader, how to involve your teammates, and how to rely on others to achieve team success."
While at Camp Crowder, the basketball players will undergo much of the training offered to Guard members, including experience with weapons, reaction to fire at the Military Operations on Urban Terrain or urban warfare training site, and a nighttime team building exercise, Hatcher said.
The training is part of an ongoing Missouri National Guard outreach effort aimed at reaching student athletes throughout the state.
Any high school or college programs interested in such training should contact the Missouri National Guard's recruiting office at (888) 526-6664.