Tony Hager '21 Recruiting Profile

Most students have an identity, an interest, or a talent that defines them in an essential way. I believe having one or more of these is important in defining you as a person. My interest / talent would be football. It defines me because it helps build my character, my leadership skills, and most importantly has given me opportunities to build relationships and friendships with many people. My first example of how football defines me in an essential way is it builds my character. It does this by teaching me when things don't go your way you cannot let it affect you. You must keep pushing and all it takes is one play or in real life, one good thing to happen to change everything. Another example of how it builds my character is when you are on top and things are going good you can never settle or be satisfied. You always need to keep going and be the best you can be. Both of these motivate and encourage the people around you to also push harder and to strive to be the best they can be which ends up helping the team succeed. My next example of how football defines me in an essential way is that it helps my leadership. Football helps my leadership because being the starting quarterback for a high school varsity football team is not an easy task. I have to make sure my guys are there on time and that everyone gets the play and knows what they are doing. It puts me in charge of the whole team and makes me lead them week in and week out. In doing so, this strengthens my ability to lead. All of these will help me be a better leader in college, in my church, my career, and most importantly my family. The third and final example I have of how football defines me in an essential way is that it gives me opportunities to build relationships and friendships with many people. For example, when I go to camps I get to meet other people and different coaches and I get to know them for the time I am with them. Also, when I worked out with a coach over the summer I got to personally meet many NFL players and throw routes to them. This helps me build friendships because you are put in a locker room with 50 other people that have the same goal and mindset as you. Waking up every morning at 5:00 am to going to practice every afternoon together you spend a lot of time with them and become very close like a family. It helps you build a lifelong bond with like minded people that you will never lose. Most students have an identity, an interest, or a talent that defines them in an essential way. Football has helped me to be a better person, leader, friend, and strengthened my overall character. These things I have learned will continue to shape me as I move on to my college career and beyond. I look forward to strengthening these leadership skills during my time in college and beyond.