As a captain on both the football and basketball teams, senior Jack Warden has taken on a rare role: Being the vocal anchor and the emotional engine of two of Notre Dame’s most demanding programs.
“The competitiveness is the same, but the mindset is different. Football is beating up the other team more or less,” said Warden. “You need to be more mentally focused in basketball; you’ve got to think more than football, especially after a bad play, so you can’t get down on yourself.”
“Jack, before every game, would stand up on the bleachers and give a strong inspirational speech on winning,” said junior Landon Korpal, a fellow varsity player.
“It feels good to lead these younger kids now to win games and do great things when I’m finished,” said Warden.
Whether it’s giving the pregame speech or even pulling a teammate aside after a rough stretch, Warden has fully embraced what it means to be the player others look to.
“He’s actually a very encouraging leader in his own unique ways,” explained Korpal.
But his impact doesn’t just end when the buzzer sounds.
“He works just as hard in the classroom as he does on the court,” said Mr. Yang, who has watched Warden’s growth throughout the years firsthand.
After years of playing alongside upperclassmen, Jack now finds himself as a face of the team, and that mindset shift has been surreal.
“It’s definitely different from past years,” he said. “Now it feels weird because I’m the guy fully leading the front. Being there for my teammates and constantly encouraging is one of my primary goals.”
He is a consistent scorer and a player who tends to thrive in high-pressure moments. His competitive mindset runs deep, even showing up in losses, such as the recent one to rival De Pere.
“It definitely didn’t feel good. We had a stretch in the second half, and they took advantage of that just like any good team would. We need to work on playing the full 36-minute game because as a team, we can win any game,” Warden said.
Fellow players allude to his balance, his grit and his overall character.
“He’s a great leader and scores a lot of points,” said senior Addison Simpson.
Warden’s legacy at Notre Dame Academy is already cemented. Think about it, he is a captain, a competitor, and a mentor.
“I see myself hopefully playing a sport in college, most likely football as of now,” he said.
He leaves younger athletes with a simple message: “Get involved. Go play basketball. It’s a fun sport to play with buddies, and you’ll get some opportunities, especially for freshmen just coming into NDA.”
In Warden’s world, effort, leadership and heart are non-negotiables.
