Feb 13: Week 7

"The Hard Hat" by Jon Gordon

This is the true story of Cornell Lacrosse player, George Boiardi, who died after taking a hit to the chest during a lacrosse match in 2004. The book is a story of the example that George left on his teammates, family, friends, and even strangers of what it meant to work hard and be humble.

With the direction sports is going, everyone gets caught up in the "me" game. Not very often do you hear about a "team effort" or players that are there for the "team". Growing up with the motto "There's no 'I' in team" seems to be lost on this generation of athletes. This book describes an individual that always put his team and others before himself and the impact that mentality left on those George left behind.

My husband recommended this book to me and it was a quick read with a great message. George reminded me of our own local fallen sports hero, Sam Foltz, and the legacy he has left behind based on his humility and his work ethic. I think of all sporting teams and how the Cornell coach had made a decision to only recruit players that he thougth fit his team motto and was willing to work hard, not recruited just for being the best player but for being the best teammate and how vital it is that more teams follow his example.

This book is a great lesson for all that hard work leaves more of a mark than a big mouth. I highly recommend this book!