Been there...Done that...

The team I help coach is stuck in a 7 game losing streak...Does it suck? Short answer, yes.  Have I been here before?  Short answer, yes.

My Sophomore year in High School, I was good enough to start on Varsity.  I played both ways, and we were not the best team in South Jersey.

In fact, we went 1-8.  The only team we beat was worse than us, but we beat them.  It was a 14-7 score too.

I remember it because I NEVER felt so happy I. My life to get a win...EVER.  But for some reason, there was a side to me that felt for Haddon TWP. because I KNEW how bad they were.

The funny thing is, even with that "win", I knew we deserved more.  We were better than out record indicated.  We practiced hard and needed to stay the course.

I knew deep down in my soul that there were better times ahead.  I didn't know when and exactly if they would ever appear, but I KNEW they would...

Guess what?  They did.

Moral of the story.  Work hard, have faith in yourself and your teammates, and good things will possibly happen.

What the mind perceives, it believes.  That is all...carryon.  

H.E.A.R.T Series, Part Three: Andre Coard

I've known Andre' Coard ever since I moved to Lawnside NJ, in 1987 (yeah, 1987).  And to this day, Andre has to be one of the toughest people I've EVER met.  Plain and simple, Dre' doesn't get punked and he doesn't give up.  Andre is one of those guys who if he says he's going to do something, it's either going to happen, or he's going to make it happen.

When we first started playing Pop Warner football together, Dre' was so tough and fearless that his nick name was Herschel...as in Herschel Walker.  He ran tough, he played tough and he would hit anything in another jersey that moved on two feet.  As a youngster, this is not the norm, but there also really aren't any huge players at this age either (that are good).

The biggest thing with Dre' though is that he never lost this passion or H.E.A.R.T when he got older.  By the time we went to High School (Haddon Heights), we (BOTH Dre and I) were not what you would call the "biggest" cornerbacks you've ever seen.  In fact, we were quite small, but frankly we didn't give a sh!t.  Our motto was, "Water covers 2/3's of the Earth...WE cover the rest".  And on top of that, we LOVED to hit.  Opposing ball carriers may not have felt our hits, but they knew we were there, and we were going to be there ALL DAY LONG.

Dre's H.E.A.R.T sticks out in my mind in one game in particular.  As Sophomore's, we started Varsity against Sterling High School.  Sterling at this time had a Tailback at 220 lbs and a Fullback at 250 named Joe Miller.  We watched tape and the coaches would continuously remind me and Dre that we should tackle low so we don't get injured.  Before the game, Dre tells me, "F that...if either one of them comes my way I'm going head to head and we're going to see what's really good".

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for getting hyped up before a game...but Dre' REALLY meant what he was saying!  The very first play of the game was a dive to Joe Miller.  He and Dre met head to head on the sideline and long story short...Joe won...that battle.   Dre NEVER gave up.  At 140 lbs, Dre took on a 250 lbs Senior Fullback head to head.  He just would not give up or even think that that was a possibility.  That first play of that game had a huge impact on me that I never told Dre' about.  I saw him get in the mix and it made me want to not only get in on it too, but to NEVER fair catch a punt...ever.

Andre' Coard was and still to this day is one of the toughest dudes I ever met or had the opportunity of knowing that played his H.E.A.R.T out.  Dre', you inspired me then, and you continue to do so now.  You probably didn't know this, but you do now, and it's meant alot to me and helped me to get to where I am today.  I wish you the best in everything you do, and I'll see you at the top man!

Breaking Down the H.E.A.R.T Athletics Player Card

Most of you know by now that I am a sports junkie...big time.  But as a kid, everything was cookie cutter processed and given to the masses.  Not only was this the status quo, but most of what we were given was marketed to us through athletes we had no connection with other than that they played on our favorite team.  I think it's great that you are one of the best athletes in your sport, but when it comes to impressionable young kids, teenagers and young adults, we often use individuals who are in the spotlight as "role models".

The H.E.A.R.T Athletics Player Card was created by me (John Harris), with the help of Brent Riley.  This shirt is aimed at encouraging, empowering and highlighting the contributions (no matter how small or big) that your athlete has made over the past season.  Why look to follow in someone else's shoes or blueprint when you can make your own path, carve your own niche, while making YOUR own history.

Let's break down the front of the shirt. 
1. Identifies the team or school that your athlete plays for. 
2. Is an action picture that you can upload on the site for your athlete (This is a picture of Billy Hubbard, really, really good football and lacrosse player). 
3. Identifies your athlete by name, number and position.

Back of the shirt breakdown.
1. again identifies the athlete. 
2. Provides all the information that a professional trading card would have, but this card is tailored to specifically to your athlete. 
3. Provides and detailed explanation on the past season and what they contributed (even if it was only ONE play, special teams or scout team...THEY did it and deserve to be recognized for it). 
4. and 5. provide the stats for the past or current year.

This shirt was designed for your athlete and their self-esteem.  While it is good to have people to look up to and goals to shoot for, you shouldn't have to look outside of yourself for motivation.  Every athlete can't be All-State, a Blue Chip or a Five Star stud, but every athlete that plays their H.E.A.R.T out should be recognized for it.

John H. Harris II
Owner/CEO
H.E.A.R.T Athletics LLC
www.heartathleticsllc.com