This year, Riverside Brookfield High School senior Max Strong was recognized for All-State in football. He is committed to going to Brown University or University of Chicago to continue his academic journey into medical school. Strong will be finishing his last year off strong in both the athletic and academic worlds.
Strong has been interested in football since freshman year. He developed a passion for it, practicing until he made varsity. He’s been an inspiration for many of his coaches due to his dedication to football. Coaches Samuel Styler, Keith Miller, and Joseph Urbanski watched Strong grow as a team player and develop the discipline to be successful.
“What’s great about high school football is the memories you make with every group that comes through the program,” Styler said. “Some of my favorite memories, specifically with Strong, were the practices where Strong would just be going nonstop. There were nights that I couldn’t take him off the field because he just kept wanting to be out there to make his teammates better. He would be on the first team defense but stay out there on the scout team and would just strive to be a team-first guy.”
Being part of a club or sport is all about what you learn throughout the years. Some obstacles Strong faced throughout the years he has been able to learn from.
“A big obstacle that I had to overcome was a whole new system of defense, along with a new position,” Strong said. “This meant that I had to learn a different structure than the one we used last year, from coverages to gap assignments. Some days you’ll feel terrible, and on those days it is most important to push yourself and others to give your best effort in every capacity.”
Having a good mindset and balanced schedule is important in sports. You may have to make sacrifices to get a healthy schedule when it comes to training.
“The RB football program preaches hard work and discipline in everything we do,” Styler said. “To have success in this game, you need to work extremely hard but also be fundamentally sound in your technique. Our players work fundamental drills daily in the season to make sure they are put in the best position possible on the field.”
Football takes a lot of patience and discipline. You have to know how to read your opponent and know how to work in a team. With this, you make lots of mistakes as well as memories along the way.
“Some important people on my journey were my coaches, especially Coach Samuel Styler, Miller, and Urbanski,” Strong said. “They pushed me every day to get better and supported me throughout my journey to be the best I could be. Something I got out of my accomplishment is the realization that those who are renowned for getting these big awards are the same as me, and that these big accomplishments are not completely alien and out of reach.”
When it comes to goals, nothing is unreachable if you want it badly enough. You are sure to attract what you most want in life if you know your value, strengths, and weaknesses.
”The process was really to go out and play my hardest,” Strong said. “After that, I just had to hope I was chosen, as my stats really were the most important part to getting me to where I am.”
After about one to two weeks after the end of the season, Strong got the news about his accomplishment. Everyone was happy to hear about his recognition. These seniors have made an impact on RB throughout the years and will continue to be recognized for their hard work and dedication.
“Work as hard as possible with whatever you do,” Styler said. “Max did not earn All-State Honors just because he worked extremely hard to get to this point, and he competed every chance he could. Max was a three-sport athlete all four years of his career, and he is one of the top students in his class. He would not have been able to achieve those awards and accolades without an immense amount of hard work, and I couldn’t be prouder of the role model he became for our school, community, and program.”
It’s important to realize the mindset you have for yourself and your life. When things get difficult, it’s important to keep trying. It’s okay to take a break and disconnect when needed, but always try to come back better than you were. If you become the best version of yourself not only for you, but the people around you to use as inspiration, it’s worth more than anything you could ever give. For athletes, make sure to give the sport your all and enjoy the time you spend with your team. Take advantage of all opportunities because sometimes it’s good to take risks. You might do things you never thought you would accomplish.
“I had the pleasure of being Max’s head coach for three out of his four years in the RB football program,” Styler said. “Max came a long way throughout his time in the program, and I think it was the hard work that he put in throughout his four years that really made the difference. He has always been a gifted player, but the jump from his junior to senior year was something special. He works extremely hard in everything that he does—football, wrestling, lacrosse, his studies. I’m just happy to see that his hard work paid off.”
