I remember first meeting Coach Hawkins at Kenwood High School. I was a small minded teenage who had no idea what i wanted to do in life, like most young HS males. I was not focused on life. I naturally excelled in school and as a result i didn't put any thought into challenging myself. I joined the football team and thus the challenges began. I saw Coach, a strong-willed, determined man of character. He treated the football team as his children; children that often needed chastisement, but also children that needed guidance. He stood out above the other coaches, even the head coach, because he was there in the weight room motivating us, he was there on the field pushing us, and just pulling the best out of us…pulling the best out of me.

I remember one time in the weight room I was lifting on the inclined press bench, and he came in, grabbed the heaviest free weights in view, got down on a bench across from where i was, pulling his feet up to his chest, and started pumping. Then he stopped, holding the weights overhead, looked at me. He saw me taking a break, holding the weight in the air, about to give up on myself, and said, “Oh Davis, I see you are practicing your isomeric strength training,” and resumed knocking them out. He basically told me, you should be lifting the weights not holding them. That is the kind of man I remember Coach Hawkins to be. He knew what each of us needed and readily delivered. What meant the most was on game days, he’d have the locker room quiet down, those who prepared for game day with headphones listening to music or running around taking their mind off what was to come, had to settle down. We know it was time for Coach to give a motivation speech. Sometimes the speeches were about overcoming adversity, sometimes they were about facing the pending challenges, but most always they had some symbolism to the bible: to David vs. Goliath, to Daniel in the lion’s den. I remember those the most because I grew up in church and it hit home for me.

When I found out that Coach Hawkins was a God fearing man, I wasn’t surprised. He had this presence about him, always wanting to help—on and off the field. He mentored, rather counseled me many times with different things I could not shake off. Dealing with my father being deployed, he told me how he was in the military and what pulled him and his family through tough times of solitude. Even with personal issues at home, he was never more than a phone call away… well truthfully he gave me his number, I don’t think I ever called, but that was because I knew where his office was. I knew that no matter what if I needed to stop in, his door was always open. Coach Hawkins was definitely more than a Coach to many of us. He is a great friend and mentor…always has been, and always will be.

Coach Hawkins is, was, and continues to be an inspiration to many. As a young teenager, his methods were not initially comprehensible; however with wisdom having been gained and time spent with Coach, one would have no other choice but understand that he cares and is a genuine person. When I was an underclassman in high school, I was not too fond of Coach, mainly because I was not used to the motivational techniques that he used. As I grew to understand the method to his madness, I was able to put the snapshots that he had given me over the years into a big picture, and the picture was clear. Coach Hawk is a man that I will never forget. He is an inspiration on the field, court, weight room, class room, and in the sanctuary. In the summer of 2013, I took part in a training exercise at Fort Lewis, Washington. When I took charge of my platoon, morale was down for various reasons and there was a lack of unit cohesion. As I searched for a means to inspire and motivate my platoon, I thought back to the speech that Coach would say everyday when I was in high school. “As the battle goes on through life, we ask for a field that’s fair…” and my platoon loved it. We had the most motivated platoon in the regiment throughout the rest of training. Coach Hawkins is a devout Christian, Soldier, and mentor that everyone should want to emulate.

I believe all people come into your life for a reason. In 1999, as a freshman at Kenwood High School, I had the pleasure of meeting one of the most motivational and inspirational people, Coach Arthur Hawkins. I could never express my gratitude for the life lessons that Coach Hawkins has taught me. During my early teenage years as I felt lost, and without guidance, he was that guiding light. He believes in people and never gives up on a person or their abilities. He was always there full of encouragement, enthusiasm, and dedication. Coach Hawkins is truly a great person and I will forever be grateful for knowing him.

During high school I was privileged to be involved in one of the most rewarding organizations, The Big Boys and Big Girls. The group originated with Coach Hawkins and the offensive and defensive linemen of our football team known as the “Big Boys”, who shared the common interest in serving others as well as fellowship. Whether it was raking leaves for the elderly or painting the roof on a church, I could see that this group was truly making an impact for the better of our community and I wanted in. Although technically I didn’t meet the criteria, I felt drawn to be with them and wanted to help as much as I could. As the first female member, I had never felt more welcome and accepted in my life. I am very proud to say that I served along next to such a great group of guys. Words can’t describe what a rewarding experience this was for me.

Now as a mother of two beautiful children I am continuously working on teaching many of the qualities that Coach Hawkins has instilled upon me, so that we may continue to “PAVE THE WAY FOR THE FUTURE ONE BOY OR GIRL AT A TIME”.

“ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Philippians 4:13

Thank you from the bottom of my heart Coach for always believing in me and for giving to others more than you will receive.

I believe it was the year 2005 when Arthur "Coach Hawk" Hawkins stepped into my life. He was a very energetic and spiritual person and he has had an effect on numerous young lives. Personally for me he was an influence through sports. I played basketball at the time and he was one of my coaches. The first year he was at Salem, we started the Christian Youth Organization called Men of Action (MOA). It later expanded to women and was renamed MWOA. However I was secretary of this organization and I believe this position was my first position that started to professionally prepare me for the real world. Not only did I have to be organized and punctual, but I realized that the organization couldn't function if my part wasn't consistently taken care of. Not only was I becoming more professional minded, I was becoming more spiritual as well. We read scriptures, we conducted workshops where we reached out to fellow young men and taught them how to be respectable gentlemen, we reached out to the community, we did everything to empower the young man. I remember praying in the gym early in the mornings, I remember when someone performed well in a game, your prize was a little book with scripture and words of encouragement in it. These were just some of the small things that made a big difference in a young man's life. I'm proud to say that I did develop a stronger relationship with Christ in high school along with leadership skills, a competitive attitude, and professionalism upon graduation from high school. I'm proud to say I am now a graduate of Savannah State University, "The University by the Sea" where I obtained my Bachelor's of Science Degree in Computer Science Technology. Within my tenure at Savannah State I held a leadership position every single year from freshman through senior years. I started as Freshman Class Vice President moved to Sophomore Class President, then I became Chairman of the campus' leading organization Achievers of Today and Tomorrow, Inc. and I graduated as the Keeper of Records for the Gamma Chi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Upon graduation from college, I didn't find a job immediately, but because of the relationship I formed with God, I was able to put everything into his hands and let him do his work. Six months later God blessed me with a job with one of the top Consulting Firms in not only the US but the World in Booz Allen Hamilton where I serve as a consultant currently in Rockville, Maryland. I am just so blessed to be in the position I'm in and I thank God daily for his blessings. Lastly I thank God for Coach Hawk, not for only being encouraging but also for having a pure heart that is open and willing to do the work of God. For this I know God is smiling down on him as he continues to please him. So my words of encouragement as I continue on my road with Christ is to keep the Lord first in everything and what's in his will be given to you, and believe me you will be beyond satisfied.

I remember first meeting Coach Hawkins at Kenwood High School. I was a small minded teenage who had no idea what i wanted to do in life, like most young HS males. I was not focused on life. I naturally excelled in school and as a result i didn't put any thought into challenging myself. I joined the football team and thus the challenges began. I saw Coach, a strong-willed, determined man of character. He treated the football team as his children; children that often needed chastisement, but also children that needed guidance. He stood out above the other coaches, even the head coach, because he was there in the weight room motivating us, he was there on the field pushing us, and just pulling the best out of us…pulling the best out of me.

I remember one time in the weight room I was lifting on the inclined press bench, and he came in, grabbed the heaviest free weights in view, got down on a bench across from where i was, pulling his feet up to his chest, and started pumping. Then he stopped, holding the weights overhead, looked at me. He saw me taking a break, holding the weight in the air, about to give up on myself, and said, “Oh Davis, I see you are practicing your isomeric strength training,” and resumed knocking them out. He basically told me, you should be lifting the weights not holding them. That is the kind of man I remember Coach Hawkins to be. He knew what each of us needed and readily delivered. What meant the most was on game days, he’d have the locker room quiet down, those who prepared for game day with headphones listening to music or running around taking their mind off what was to come, had to settle down. We know it was time for Coach to give a motivation speech. Sometimes the speeches were about overcoming adversity, sometimes they were about facing the pending challenges, but most always they had some symbolism to the bible: to David vs. Goliath, to Daniel in the lion’s den. I remember those the most because I grew up in church and it hit home for me.

When I found out that Coach Hawkins was a God fearing man, I wasn’t surprised. He had this presence about him, always wanting to help—on and off the field. He mentored, rather counseled me many times with different things I could not shake off. Dealing with my father being deployed, he told me how he was in the military and what pulled him and his family through tough times of solitude. Even with personal issues at home, he was never more than a phone call away… well truthfully he gave me his number, I don’t think I ever called, but that was because I knew where his office was. I knew that no matter what if I needed to stop in, his door was always open. Coach Hawkins was definitely more than a Coach to many of us. He is a great friend and mentor…always has been, and always will be.

Coach Hawkins is, was, and continues to be an inspiration to many. As a young teenager, his methods were not initially comprehensible; however with wisdom having been gained and time spent with Coach, one would have no other choice but understand that he cares and is a genuine person. When I was an underclassman in high school, I was not too fond of Coach, mainly because I was not used to the motivational techniques that he used. As I grew to understand the method to his madness, I was able to put the snapshots that he had given me over the years into a big picture, and the picture was clear. Coach Hawk is a man that I will never forget. He is an inspiration on the field, court, weight room, class room, and in the sanctuary. In the summer of 2013, I took part in a training exercise at Fort Lewis, Washington. When I took charge of my platoon, morale was down for various reasons and there was a lack of unit cohesion. As I searched for a means to inspire and motivate my platoon, I thought back to the speech that Coach would say everyday when I was in high school. “As the battle goes on through life, we ask for a field that’s fair…” and my platoon loved it. We had the most motivated platoon in the regiment throughout the rest of training. Coach Hawkins is a devout Christian, Soldier, and mentor that everyone should want to emulate.

I believe all people come into your life for a reason. In 1999, as a freshman at Kenwood High School, I had the pleasure of meeting one of the most motivational and inspirational people, Coach Arthur Hawkins. I could never express my gratitude for the life lessons that Coach Hawkins has taught me. During my early teenage years as I felt lost, and without guidance, he was that guiding light. He believes in people and never gives up on a person or their abilities. He was always there full of encouragement, enthusiasm, and dedication. Coach Hawkins is truly a great person and I will forever be grateful for knowing him.

During high school I was privileged to be involved in one of the most rewarding organizations, The Big Boys and Big Girls. The group originated with Coach Hawkins and the offensive and defensive linemen of our football team known as the “Big Boys”, who shared the common interest in serving others as well as fellowship. Whether it was raking leaves for the elderly or painting the roof on a church, I could see that this group was truly making an impact for the better of our community and I wanted in. Although technically I didn’t meet the criteria, I felt drawn to be with them and wanted to help as much as I could. As the first female member, I had never felt more welcome and accepted in my life. I am very proud to say that I served along next to such a great group of guys. Words can’t describe what a rewarding experience this was for me.

Now as a mother of two beautiful children I am continuously working on teaching many of the qualities that Coach Hawkins has instilled upon me, so that we may continue to “PAVE THE WAY FOR THE FUTURE ONE BOY OR GIRL AT A TIME”.

“ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Philippians 4:13

Thank you from the bottom of my heart Coach for always believing in me and for giving to others more than you will receive.

I believe it was the year 2005 when Arthur "Coach Hawk" Hawkins stepped into my life. He was a very energetic and spiritual person and he has had an effect on numerous young lives. Personally for me he was an influence through sports. I played basketball at the time and he was one of my coaches. The first year he was at Salem, we started the Christian Youth Organization called Men of Action (MOA). It later expanded to women and was renamed MWOA. However I was secretary of this organization and I believe this position was my first position that started to professionally prepare me for the real world. Not only did I have to be organized and punctual, but I realized that the organization couldn't function if my part wasn't consistently taken care of. Not only was I becoming more professional minded, I was becoming more spiritual as well. We read scriptures, we conducted workshops where we reached out to fellow young men and taught them how to be respectable gentlemen, we reached out to the community, we did everything to empower the young man. I remember praying in the gym early in the mornings, I remember when someone performed well in a game, your prize was a little book with scripture and words of encouragement in it. These were just some of the small things that made a big difference in a young man's life. I'm proud to say that I did develop a stronger relationship with Christ in high school along with leadership skills, a competitive attitude, and professionalism upon graduation from high school. I'm proud to say I am now a graduate of Savannah State University, "The University by the Sea" where I obtained my Bachelor's of Science Degree in Computer Science Technology. Within my tenure at Savannah State I held a leadership position every single year from freshman through senior years. I started as Freshman Class Vice President moved to Sophomore Class President, then I became Chairman of the campus' leading organization Achievers of Today and Tomorrow, Inc. and I graduated as the Keeper of Records for the Gamma Chi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Upon graduation from college, I didn't find a job immediately, but because of the relationship I formed with God, I was able to put everything into his hands and let him do his work. Six months later God blessed me with a job with one of the top Consulting Firms in not only the US but the World in Booz Allen Hamilton where I serve as a consultant currently in Rockville, Maryland. I am just so blessed to be in the position I'm in and I thank God daily for his blessings. Lastly I thank God for Coach Hawk, not for only being encouraging but also for having a pure heart that is open and willing to do the work of God. For this I know God is smiling down on him as he continues to please him. So my words of encouragement as I continue on my road with Christ is to keep the Lord first in everything and what's in his will be given to you, and believe me you will be beyond satisfied.