University of Missouri men’s basketball team to train with National Guard

Nearly two dozen University of Missouri men’s basketball players and coaches will undergo leadership training with the Missouri National Guard this weekend.

The National Guard says the team will have leadership and team-building training at Camp Crowder in Neosho on Sunday.

“The Mizzou players and coaches will experience the military steps taken to prepare and perform real, military training scenarios,” said Capt. Brian Hatcher, operations officer for the Missouri National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion. “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.”

At the camp, the basketball team will participate in National Guardsmen training including experience with weapons, reaction to fire and a nighttime team-building exercise.

The training is part of a Missouri National Guard outreach effort aimed at reaching student athletes throughout the state. The National Guard held a similar training for the MU football team.