Great leaders don't set out to be a leader, they set out to make a difference.
 
Whether it was the quiet start to his wrestling career, or simply following a suggestion to attend his first Student-Athlete Advisory Committee meeting, senior John Connick has made a difference for both groups during his time at John Carroll.
 
For a time, he was just another face in the crowd with the John Carroll chapter of the SAAC. In fact, Connick got started in this organization his sophomore year when he was asked to represent the wrestling team by former coach, Kerry Volkmann.
 
Three years later, he was elected the SAAC president.
 
Wrestling is unquestionably his passion, but the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is another organization Connick is greatly passionate about. He hopes to accomplish a great deal in his role as the President.
 
One of the biggest things he hopes to accomplish in SAAC this year is helping athletes to avoid scheduling conflicts between classes and practices. Currently, students must schedule alternative classes or miss their practice in order to attend class which he believes is very detrimental to their growth as student athlete.
 
Connick believes that this is a pressing issue that needs to be resolved because, "When an athlete needs to schedule around his or her practice time, they don't get the most out of their college experience academically or athletically."
           
Starting out his journey in sports as a football player, Connick may have never thought he would make his mark as part of the wrestling team. When Connick was in fifth grade, his football coach told him wrestling would help him to become a better football player. Despite not winning a single match his first year in the sport, Connick stuck with it and grew to accomplish more than he could have ever imagined.
 
Being a legacy at the school (both of his parents are graduates) was one reason he looked to attend John Carroll and continue wrestling. Another reason was that his high school coach, Nick Salatino was a two-time national qualifier at John Carroll.
 
He also liked the location, being that it is not far from his home in Chardon and close to downtown Cleveland. He is proud to be a part of this team stating that, "the wrestling program has a rich tradition of winning."
 
Connick has enjoyed his time on the John Carroll wrestling team and is grateful for the lifelong friends that he has met through the program. He stated that one of his proudest moments on the team is being able to work with two-time All-American wrestler, Dan Mirman.
 
Starting out his first year with coach Mark Hawald, he thinks that the transition between coaches has been seamless and has brought success to the team. Connick and Hawald have very similar attitudes in that they strive to achieve both team and individual goals. Connick stated that Hawald is very goal driven and is always reminding them of achieving their goals every day.
 
"When you are constantly reminded of your goals, it makes them much easier to achieve because you never lose sight of them," said Connick.
 
Connick shared that he thinks the team realistically could be OAC champions this upcoming season, with the help of the numerous freshmen included in the starting lineup. As a captain, he hopes to help them with their transition from high school so they can have a successful year.
 
"Our record might not have shown it, but I thought we wrestled very well this past weekend," said Connick following the opening stretch of the season.
 
The wrestling team opened up their season hosting in the JCU Wrestling Duals and traveling to Cleveland State for another match the next day. Their record currently stands at 1-4. 
 
Despite having to forfeit in three weight classes due to injury, Connick said the men who competed wrestled very well. He believes that once the team is healthy again, John Carroll is going to be a team to look out for in the OAC.
 
With this in mind, he is very hopeful for this upcoming season and knows that the team will be successful both individually and as a whole. He believes that they are going to be the team to beat in the conference and, as a captain will help guide his team to their ultimate goal of being OAC Champions.