Make your Mark!

"Success always come when preparation meets opportunity" - Henry Hartman

Even though I'm not and I say again I am not an Alabama fan, I was proud last night for Heisman trophy winner Mark Ingram. He is to be commended not only for being a great running back, and Alabama's first Heisman trophy winner, but also for being a quality person. I have been impressed by the way he has handled all the pressure he has faced all year. I was equally impressed at the way he handled himself last night as a representative of not only his team, university, and hometown, but also of many others who apire to climb higher and reach their dreams. It's amazing to think that at the beginnng of this year, no one, not even Mark Ingram himself expected him to be hoisting the Heisman trophy in New York. At the beginning of the season all of the Heisman hype belonged to the two previous winners and last year's runner-up which were all returning for this season. The odds were that a QB would win the award again this year. However, a little known running back from Flint, Michigan showed us last night that despite the odds you can make your mark on this world!

In order to make your mark you first need Discipline. Last year Mark Ingram was a freshman backup running back. He had a good initial year but coming into this season he knew more would be expected of him. I can imagine that during the offseason Mark worked extra hard in the weight room and on the track to become the best running he could become. I also imagine he spent extra time with the coaches and worked on things such as blocking schemes and pass routes while other players were relaxing. In other words he had the discipline prior to the season to do the things he needed to do in order to be successful. In this life always remember that success comes before work only in the dictionary and that nobody has ever accomplished anything great without paying a price.

Secondly, in order to make your mark you also need Determination. On the football field Mark Ingram is one of the most determined players in college football. Very rarely is one person able to bring him down. Week after week he racks up what is known in football terminology as YAC yards (Yards after Contact). He is able to take a hit and keep going. What a mentality to have when it comes to the game of life! In a real sense, we all absorb hits in our lives on a consistent basis. If we are to make our mark however, we must have the determination to take a hit and keep moving toward our goal.

Lastly in order to reach our goal you need Direction. Mark Ingram is very fortunate to have one of the best, if not the best, college football coaches in Coach Nick Saban. Coach Saban is not only a visionary leader that is meticulous about every detail of the game, he is also a fiery motivator that gets the most out of all individuals including players and coaches. Mark Ingram would not even be at the University of Alabama if it were not for the fact that Coach Saban coached his father. Also, this season the coaching staff has provided direction by putting Mark in position to make plays and use his awesome athletic ability to score touchdowns for the team. If you are to make your mark you need the same kind of direction. We all need individuals in our lives who inspire us to reach higher heights. We also need people that push us to maximize our potential. In other words we need mentors that not only know the way but also show the way!

I congratulate Mark Ingram for making his mark on college football and winning the Heisman trophy. He provides a positive example as well as the encouragement for all of us to make our own mark on this world!