Thought we would post this letter issued by a Hornet Coach to his players. It sets the stage for individual athletic success and demonstrates the principles being taught in the Hornet Program.
Commitment to Excellence (The Mirror)
It is easy to talk about being a committed hockey player or person. If you can talk the talk, can you walk the walk? Never tell me what I want to hear or try to fake you way through commitment. I pride myself on being able to evaluate sincerity and honesty. I need you to make a commitment to excellence, and I will expect it from you and myself. Nothing irritates a coach more than complacency, under-achievement or self-satisfaction. It is not acceptable to become just “good enough” and never reach your potential. You may satisfy yourself by your performance, but do you satisfy your teammates and coaches? Are you honest with yourself? Make sure that you look in your personal “mirror” after every athletic effort and ask yourself if you did everything in your power to improve yourself and better your team. Did you pay the full price or just the sale price? Were you just good enough, but not quite good enough to make the difference and tip the scales towards our success and victory? The coaches will guide you, show you the pathways to excellence but you will need to follow the path and leave footprints for future generations of young men that wear the Hornets jersey. A Hornets hockey player should never be satisfied with his personal achievements and is always challenging his potential, always showing a passion to improve. There are no excuses and the words “but” and “can’t” must be eliminated from your vocabulary. There are no shortcuts on the road to excellence. “A real measure of an athlete is not what he is but what he could be.”
Ultimately, the successful Hornet will have:
1) The burning desire to learn, develop and succeed.
2) The ability to listen and put instruction into action.
3) The passion and work-ethic to prepare and perform at a high level.
4) A sacrificial attitude.
5) A deep sense of humility.
6) Discipline
7) Selflessness
8) Integrity
