Every sports season, there are stories to be told. Some are stories of great feats on the playing field or court. Some are controversial on a variety of issues or events. And now days, it seems that some are becoming more political than ever before.
But one thing that has not changed are the sports themselves and the true values that they bring to the men and women who play them. Coaches often find themselves in the positions of being more than coaches; some are mentors, and some, are even surrogate parents.
This year’s edition of the Paris Eagles baseball program has been one of youth and talent. After graduating several key players from a year ago, the Eagles have several young players that have received substantial playing time and may have the best years of their playing careers ahead of them.
The young Eagles currently sit in third place in their conference and look like they could be destined for a possible return to the regional tournament, or, maybe even to the state tournament. But it has not been easy for the young diamond Eagles.
On March 28, Eagles pitcher and infielder, Konnor Edwards, was taken off the field in an ambulance in a game versus Charleston. Edwards, playing second base at the time, was moving in to field a ground ball when he collided with a Charleston base runner. A clean play by both players, but Edwards had to be taken from the field in a very scary moment for all who witnessed the play.
Then, during the Eagles’ very next game at Hackett on March 31, senior pitcher Mason Bradley seemed to have the game in control and perhaps cruising to the win in the mid innings against the Hornets. And then, in the fifth inning, just as the previous week with Edwards’s injury, Bradley pulled up from the follow through of a pitch, holding his pitching arm. He had extreme pain and had to leave the game. For the Eagles, suddenly they had found themselves in the moment of looking to content for one of the top two spots in conference to losing two of their best pitchers, infielders, and hitters.
But while photographing the Hackett game, it hit me. The team was facing adversity, but not to the level of their own coach. Coach Josh Hart, head coach for the Eagles, had been quietly battling his own adversity during the season, and with courage and class. Coach Hart kept his battle to himself, not allowing it to be a distraction to the team.
So, backing up in our story, Eagles head baseball coach Josh Hart was diagnosed with stage four cancer just after the start of the current school year. He had made it public knowledge, but it was not something that he or anyone else had talked about much. Josh serves also as an assistant coach for the Lady Eagles volleyball program, and during volleyball season and into the winter, he continued to receive cancer treatments.
He quietly took the treatments, came to work every day, and continued to coach his players. His work ethic, stamina, and passion for coaching never waivered. And as a reporter who has covered his teams this year, I can attest that his interest and passion for coaching his players has never suffered due to the distraction or the physical discomfort or loss of stamina from his illnes or treatments.
I had the opportunity to visit with Coach Hart yesterday before the Eagles took the field in Clarksville. He shared with me that he is doing well and has a very good prognosis. He is taking immunotherapy and is seeing great results. He also shared that he will have to take the therapy for the rest of his life. His biggest complaint? The port that has been implanted in his chest for therapy treatments. Josh is an avid hunter, and the placement of the port interferes with his hunting! He is a remarkable man.
So when the Eagles were faced with injuries that appeared to be serious or threaten the future playing careers of the players involved, coach Josh Hart could talk to his team and share his own battles with each of his players. He could honestly look at each of them and tell them that life is going to throw challenges and adversity at you, and it is up to each one of us to face those challenges head on. It is going to happen…it is just a matter of what it will be and when it will happen.
So, his players listen to him. When he tells them that whatever they face during the season… look at me…. compared to what I have faced, this is nothing…we can get through this.
Josh Hart has played and has always loved baseball. A year ago, he guided his team to within one game of playing in the Class 3A state championship game. And this year, he will again be playing in the postseason and will be building the foundation of what could be a very good team next year. Josh is a winner, not only on the field, but in life.
And his story of courage may be the most valuable aspect of his life and his coaching that he is now passing on to his players. His story is one of faith and courage.
RNN Sports thanks Coach Hart for giving us permission to share his story. It is one of inspiration, and we thought it might inspire anyone who reads it. So, to Coach Hart, we thank you, and we wish you continued success with your treatments.
And we will be there in the postseason to cover your Eagles in the district and regional tournaments!
