The Bentley football team's 2025 preseason included a night of inspiration and leadership, featuring two impactful speakers who brought unique perspectives to the team's development journey.

Ron Taylor addressed the freshman and sophomore players with a message centered on respect and teamwork. Drawing from his extensive experience, Ron emphasized the importance of being mentally and physically prepared to face challenges head-on. His standout moment came when he connected his message to Mike Tyson's famous quote about strategy and adversity —"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face." In a memorable gesture, Ron presented the team with signed boxing gloves from Tyson himself, sparking excitement and leaving a lasting impression on the younger players.

As a retired HR and DEI Executive VP, Taylor currently supports Bentley both as an Advisor at The Center of Women and Business and as Executive in Residence for the Pulsifer Career Development Center. 
 
In another section of the Dana Athletic Center, Rick Miller spoke to the juniors, seniors, and graduate students about impact and teamwork. Weaving in lessons from Adam Grant's book Hidden Potential, Rick highlighted five key areas of focus: discipline, determination, proactivity, caring, and character. As a former Bentley student-athlete, Rick also shared personal stories from his time playing soccer on what is now Bentley's Yetten Football Field, named after legendary football head coach Peter Yetten. Rick reflected on how the toughest years of his Bentley experience shaped his subsequent success in business and government. "Some of my greatest lessons came from the hard knocks I took on Yetten Field," he told the team.
 
As CEO of Being Chief LLC, Rick currently coaches senior executives and supports Bentley as an Adjunct Lecturer at the McCallum Graduate School and as Executive in Residence for Bentley Athletics. 
 
Together, these sessions set a powerful tone for the season. This night wasn't just about motivation—it was about legacy, leadership, and preparing the team to compete at the highest level. Bentley football used the sessions as part of their focus on student-athlete development."