The Spring Hill Bears submitted this video and the essay below to tell us what make their team special!
What Makes the Spring Hill Bears Special?
Special (adjective) - of a distinct or particular kind or character. Aristotle once said, “Character may almost be called the most effective means of persuasion.” This is because character is something distinguishable, outstanding, or special amongst the mediocre. The connotations and dictions for what makes something special are countless. So what culminates all these meanings? The Spring Hill Bears. Located just six miles south of Hope lies a program where excellence is expected not only on the football field but in the classroom as well. There are no athletes at Spring Hill, only student athletes. The goals of the football program begin on an academic first policy. Players who have below a 2.0 grade point average or have an F in a class do not play until their grades are up. These policies are diligently maintained through an instrumental staff of coaches. Academic and moral expectations make this football program special because beyond football we realize there is a community that we represent, and a school that expects only the best.
We have many student athletes that meet and exceed these expectations through the P.A.L.S. program. P.A.L.S. stand for Patience and Love for Students, and it is an elective credit. In P.A.L.S. student care is a priority, the main focus being on the younger children who need someone there for them. Whether it be help on math homework, or reading a book to make a difference in a little ones life, many Bear football players have and are taking pride in this class. We are true role models for these little guys, a very valuable and important thing to accomplish. Also, expectations of being the best are met by the use of every inch of our facilities that are in great need of improvement.
Our program, which does not have the funds comparable to that of other schools, would be helped tremendously through the support of Summit bank. Through these funds the opportunities to excel would rise and the quality of a Spring Hill Bear student athlete would improve. We currently dress 36 players in a locker room that accommodates only 21. Our weight room contains only four stations of free weights. That means a team weight lift day would have 9 people per station making it almost impossible to get done before the end of school. Each day we work to improve as young men with what we have, and a contribution for improvements would be stretched by every penny.
Last year the Spring Hill bear football team went 1-9. The 2008-2009 season brought adversity from every direction. As a Spring Hill Bear, I will never be quite sure why everything happened the way it did. But, what I can say is, I am glad it happened the way it did. Do not judge a Spring Hill Bear based on what he does when things are going well. Judge him when the going gets tough, and when it seems as if life is getting the best of him. When the 2009-2010-football season began 36 young men took the football field as 21-point underdogs and a team that had only two predicted wins on its preseason schedule. As time ran out that Friday night we knew who we were, and how we could, and did handle adversity. The final score was 45-22, a win that we will never forget, and an indicator of the season to come. Now, as October expires the team that was supposed to go 2-8 is 6-1, the best start in school history, and maybe the best turn around in all of Arkansas. That is special. It is a distinct or particular kind of character displayed by our team every day that brought us to where we are. Aristotle once said, “Character may almost be called the most effective means of persuasion.” Persuasion is merely a step to induce someone or something in your direction. My football team is special, we do have character, and we are going in the right direction. To the respective representatives at Summit bank that is all the persuasion you need.
-Walker Smith,
Spring Hill Senior Bear Football Player
Jessieville High School submitted this great video to our teamwork challenge!
The Bryant Hornets submitted the above PowerPoint Presentation for their team entry. They also enclosed the following letter from Coach Paul Calley:
We are so proud to have the opportunity to show you "Why we think our team is special." I have been blessed to have the privilege to coach such an awesome group of young men. They are truly special and continue to amaze me with their actions on and off the football field. As the PowerPoint will show you, our team knows the importance of teamwork. They exemplify this fact off the field by giving to the community and being positive role models for all future Hornets. We illustrate teamwork on the field by motivating each player/teammate to play to their fullest potential and beat the odds each Friday night.
I would also like to take a moment to praise the support we receive from our community. As a matter of fact, this past July, Bryant was named as one of the "100 Best Places to Live in America." This article cites our sporting events as to what "brings our residents together." Our high school football games often sell out.
Sincerely,
Paul K. Calley, Head Coach
Bryant High School Football
