George Boiardi was a 22 year old star Lacrosse player at Cornell University. In 2004 this wonderful young man died on the field after a ball hit him in the chest. It was a devastating blow to the family, team and entire lacrosse community but instead of giving up on their season or playing to "win" for George the coaches and team decided to play to honor George and play the game the way he played it. Wins and losses were secondary. Carrying on George's legacy was paramount. What followed was a miraculous season of dramatic wins and the healing of a group of young man who lost their captain and leader.
The "Hard Hat" usually worn by construction workers was a symbol Coach Jeff Tambroni and Cornell lacrosse used to instill blue collar values and hard work in his team. Each year a freshman was selected to carry the Hard Hat for a year. As a freshman George Boiardi was the player selected to carry the hard hat. After his death in 2004 George's number was placed on the hard hat and it came to symbolize more than an idea.
The hard hat came to represent George and the kind of person and player every Cornell lacrosse freshman strived to be. It came to embody the spirit of Cornell Big Red Lacrosse and this spirit of a hard working selfless team. George's impact on his team was so great that to this day his attitude, effort and spirit are still talked about daily in the Cornell locker room and on the field. His teammates 11 years later still live their lives with his giving spirit in mind.
The Hard Hat is an unforgettable true story about a selfless, loyal, joyful, hard-working, competitive, and compassionate leader and teammate, the impact he had on his team and program and the lessons we can learn from him. Infused with practical insights and life changing lessons, The Hard Hat will inspire readers to be the best teammate they can be and to build a great team, including:
• A True Story about George Boiardi, his Team and their Legacy.
• 21 Lessons to be a Great Teammate Including
o Why “well done” is always better than “well said”
o Humble and hungry are a powerful combination
o Stay positive and share that positive energy with others
o Be willing to give of yourself for the greater good of the team
o Do it for your team, not for the applause
• Insights from George’s teammates and coaches that bring the lessons to life.
• 21 Exercises to help build a great team
“George showed up on and off the field every day of his short life and his legacy lives on through so many people impacted by his example,” Jon adds. “Ever since George, the hard hat reminds me to do everything I can to be a great teammate. George embodied everything the hard hat stood for, and now the hard hat embodies the teammate and person George was.”
100% of the author’s royalties go to support the Mario St. George Boiardi Foundation. Please visit boiardifoundation.org to learn more.
Jon Gordon’s (Jacksonville, FL) bestselling books and talks have inspired readers and audiences around the world. His principles have been put to the test by numerous NFL, NBA, and college coaches and teams, Fortune 500 companies, school districts, hospitals, and nonprofits and the proof is in the countless success stories shared by his clients. He is the author of The Wall Street Journal bestseller The Energy Bus, The Positive Dog, The Seed, The Carpenter, The No Complaining Rule, Training Camp, The Shark and the Goldfish, The Energy Bus for Kids and Soup: A Recipe to Nourish Your Team and Culture.
For more information about the author and his other works, please visit www.JonGordon.com.