Culver Girls Academy Hockey, under the guidance of Coach Cory Whitaker, has a history of producing players with the athletic ability and the leadership skills to become captains at the collegiate level.
Coaches play a huge role, not just in how the team performs, but also in shaping the overall culture of the school or organization they represent. Whitaker teaches student-athletes values that are important beyond just being good at sports. He has helped shape the character and leadership abilities of these players.
By hearing from former Culver girls hockey players who now lead college teams as captains, we can see how impactful their time at Culver was, as well as the supportive environment they were surrounded by. Their stories show how they grew personally, became more resilient, and developed leadership skills, all thanks to their experiences at Culver.
Abbey Marohn, CGA '20 – Assistant Captain, Northeastern University
"Culver is an incubator that allowed me to cultivate my leadership skills as a member of the CGA leadership system and a hockey player. My Culver journey began as a follower of a class of leaders who exemplified true leadership in the dorm and on the ice. I saw what it meant to lead, what did and did not work, and the responsibility that came with it.
"Gradually, I learned the type of leader I wanted to be. By my senior year, I had become the honor representative of Harbor Dorm and captain of the prep hockey team. These two roles afforded me experiences that helped shape my character and taught me how to handle the vicissitudes of leadership over a school year and a season. It taught me the importance of clear, constant communication with those around me and how to have difficult conversations.
"All of these developments set me up for success and gave me the confidence to succeed as a player and leader at the collegiate level. I attribute it to my beginnings at Culver and the real-world applications the leadership and hockey programs provide."
Madilynn Hickey, CGA '19 – Captain, Lindenwood University
"Coming into Culver as a new junior was very challenging from the start. Although I was used to being a student-athlete, attending Culver put additional challenges on my plate. Not only did I have to find a new balance between being a student and an athlete, but I was also new at a school where I knew no one and had to live away from home. I felt as if I was being thrown in the deep end. Getting over the initial fears and challenges to embrace what it meant to be a member of CGA was extremely formative.
"One of the most pivotal factors that prepared me for college and life in general was the people at Culver. Meeting people from all over the world and being teammates, roommates, and friends with them exposed me to so many individuals. I took the knowledge I gained of each different personality type and applied it to how I saw the world. With so much experience in the variation and diversity of people, I found an ability to be a leader. It was no longer just about being the best student and the best athlete I could be, I became passionate about leading others.
"With effective time management skills gained by the rigorous schedule at Culver, I was able to give time and energy into developing my leadership skills. Being at Culver gave me the knowledge and experience I needed to be a leader on my team in college. Understanding a wide array of personalities allowed me to lead in a way that was specific to each teammate and each unique situation. Making decisions about how to handle challenges that were thrown at me as a leader always stemmed back to the experiences I had at Culver. With that, CGA not only helped me be a better student-athlete, it gave me the tools I needed to be a leader in my future endeavors."
Zoe Lohrei, CGA '21 – Assistant Captain, Adrian College
"The structure and culture I had the privilege of being a part of, at Culver and as a part of CGA hockey, has prepared me for success in all aspects of my life. Specifically, in the opportunity to be a captain at the college level. The journey of leadership I went on with CGA hockey was something that truly changed my life and I have been lucky enough to be able to directly translate the things the coaching staff and school have taught me to my team and teammates here at Adrian. I could not be more grateful; Coach Whitaker and Coach Fox's mentorship has truly prepared me for success on and off the ice in college."
Karmen Anderson, CGA '20 – Captain, Adrian College
"Culver Academies had a profound impact on shaping me into the leader I am today, with four transformative years spent immersing myself in its culture. Throughout my time at Culver, particularly as a member of the CGA Women's Hockey team, I was consistently pushed beyond my comfort zone, both on and off the ice, acquiring invaluable life skills along the way.
"Culver taught me the art of effective communication, instilled in me a sense of gratitude for what I have, showed me how to persevere through adversity, and gain time management abilities. CGA Hockey, in particular, provided me with a sense of belonging from my freshman year onward, serving as a steady anchor through the challenges of leaving home at a young age and adapting to a new environment. Despite the significant age gap within the team, ranging from 14 to 18 years old during my time, the diverse perspectives and experiences of my teammates enriched our collective journey. I was fortunate to have inspiring leaders within the team who shared my aspirations and genuinely cared for every member, contributing significantly to my personal growth and development.
"Each year at Culver brought unique but equally important lessons shown by the support of the leaders and the camaraderie within CGA Hockey. It made it easy to learn and develop leadership skills for myself. If you want to know how successful the CGA program is in developing its students, you can look at the rosters of the top Division 1 and Division 3 women's hockey programs and you will find my former Culver teammates on those teams. We are striving for excellence not only on the ice but in the classroom and looking to make an impact long after our college hockey careers are over."
McKinley Hoff, CGA '20 – Assistant Captain, Nazareth University
"First of all, being a year-round student-athlete at Culver coupled with a tough academic load I learned how to manage my time around a busy schedule so that I could succeed in the classroom as well as on the ice, field, and track. In addition, I had many experiences that were new to me, they were awkward and frightening at times. Overcoming these difficult situations was paramount to my success. Engaging with professionals and collaborating with varying personalities I sometimes wasn't used to was challenging for me. This challenge and my experiences throughout my Culver journey helped me grow as a person and out of my comfort zone. It has prepared me in so many ways to not only be a captain of a college hockey team but to be accountable and succeed in all the dynamic facets of life. Culver helped lay a foundation for success not just in college but in life."
Through the testimonials of former Culver players who now lead college teams as captains, we witness the profound impact Culver Academies has had on their lives. From cultivating leadership skills to overcoming challenges and experiencing growth, these girls have emerged into the leaders they are today.
Culver's emphasis on leadership development and the cultivation of a strong sense of community within the CGA hockey program has not only prepared these student-athletes for success in their athletic careers but has also empowered them to excel in all facets of life. As we celebrate their achievements, let us also recognize the vital role of coaches and institutions like Culver in shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
