As a captain for John Brown University's men's basketball team, Trae Oetting often seeks out ways to become a better leader. That said, he never expected the opportunity he received, or the life lessons he would learn, from being able to attend a basketball-centered leadership conference this summer.

Oetting, a rising junior guard for the Golden Eagles, was one of only three NAIA players among the 30 student-athletes who attended the Captains Academy, hosted by the nonprofit Athletes In Action at that organization's headquarters in Xenia, Ohio.

AIA describes itself as a global community to help coaches and athletes grow physically, mentally and spiritually both on and off the field. Its goal is that "by serving, training, and sending athletes as influencers into the world, we are building spiritual movements everywhere through the platform of sport so that everyone knows someone who truly follows Jesus."

At the four-day Captains Academy, Oetting joined players from NCAA Division I programs such as Pepperdine, Southern Illinois, Belmont, Mount St. Mary's and Chattanooga.

"We were challenged to think about different areas of our lives and even make some commitments and changes as needed," Oetting said. "It's never easy to hear about things we need to change or focus on in our lives. I just have to get out of my comfort zone to become the best version of myself."

Morris Michalski, who works with AIA and serves as a chaplain for the USA Basketball men's national team, led the academy, which included speakers from a member of the 2025 NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder organization, a former strength coach for the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals and four current pro basketball players, some with previous NBA experience.

Alumni of the Captains Academy include current NBA players such as Grant Williams and Alex Caruso, the latter of whom played a key role in the Thunder's run to the championship.

It's often who you know that ends up leading to good opportunities in life, and such was the case for Oetting, as JBU coach Jason Beschta played for Michalski in college at Bryan (Tenn.). That connection led to Oetting receiving an invitation to attend the academy. Beschta called it an "incredible opportunity" for Oetting, saying players who attended were "challenged and poured into to help them grow as leaders, learn from the pros and discover great community."

Oetting, who's from Springfield, Mo., said the academy certainly taught him about basketball and leadership, but he took away even greater life lessons as well.

"We talked about striving towards the right things in our lives, and how to create and maintain meaningful and impactful relationships," he said. "It was about creating better young men and preparing each of us for a future that goes beyond the basketball court.

"Each day we would have speakers talk with us and challenge us to grow. We would break up into small groups at times to be able to open up more with each other in a smaller setting. We had runs each day in the brand-new John Wooden Fieldhouse, and I had a chance to play with so many talented Division I players and the pros that were there."

Oetting said he learned that to be a successful leader, he needs to be highly intentional in his relationships and show people how much he cares. He said he wants to be that person for the Golden Eagles, who will open their season Nov. 1 at home against Ecclesia.

"One thing that was eye-opening for me was that if you want to be a good leader you have to create meaningful relationships, you have to learn how to ask good questions, learn to understand and connect with others," he said. "When you show people that you care, they will trust and follow and even care for you.

"The best leaders, they excel at giving others hope! I want people to see how driven I really am. I feel like my drive has been increasing significantly this summer. I want them to see the will to win, but also off the court to be a guy they can count on, someone they can lean on, for anything in their life that they might need. I want to be more involved in their lives."