School:
It is your responsibility to work as hard - if not harder – in the classroom as you do on the football field. Your daily routine should include study and reading every spare moment you have. Like study hall.
When you get home from school – have a snack and hit the books. When you get back from practice, shower, eat and study. Read something for fun before bed. On days that you do not have practice – study and work ahead. Don’t look at those days as a chance to get away from it – look at them as an opportunity to get ahead and improve.
Leave the TV, movies and video games off during the week. They do not add to the educational experience during school days.
Lack of effort in the classroom, laziness in study habits and poor grades not only hurt you – but also hurt your team. If you do not understand the lesson – get help from your teacher. If you need more time to study or work on an important project – tell your coach. However, there is absolutely no excuse for goofing off in class, not doing your homework and keeping up with your studies. This type of behavior can lead to missing practice, games and other team functions.
Student comes before athlete for a reason. Remember that.
Expectations:
Whenever you wear that Cardinal t-shirt, game jersey or spirit wear, you are representing hundreds – if not a thousand or so – student athletes that came before you.
On away games, you represent our community and all 20,000 inhabitants. I expect you to be fierce competitors on the field during the game and gentlemen before, after and in between. Our opponents look forward to our “play dates”. Let’s make sure that never changes.
At HHS games, you represent the program and all the players in it, past and present. Your actions are a direct reflection on everyone – coaches included. Have fun, make friends and fond memories. But think before you act. If that little voice tells you it is not a good idea – you better listen.
At school, I expect you to be leaders. You need to set the example in good behavior, scholarship and making good choices. This path may be the less popular and more difficult to travel. But then again, you are special. Have the courage to do what is right – not what is conventional and convenient.
Again, that little voice generally knows which way to go.
Great job so far. We all have a very long way to go.
Work harder than you ever have, stick together and have fun.
Be good.
Coach Hahn
