A Special Visit to Collins Academy - Robert Hughes

Robert Hughes (http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/hughes_robert01.html and http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=237399) came to visit Collins Academy today! He had a special one on on session with D.A. and then talked for 45 mins with a group of 24 students, 4 teachers, and City Year, taking our questions and having a conversation about topics from getting recruited, distractions at college, to how much he can bench press...550 for those that are wondering...
The students loved having the chance to talk to him and they were interested in everything he was saying! Robert's visit made a big difference for some of those students and I appreciate his willingness to share a part of himself with our school. It was such a great and unique opportunity to hear about what it takes to play sports in college and in the pros. Hopefully we can partner with him again sometimes in the future! Thanks Robert! And thank you Notre Dame for the tight and well knit community where we can call on each other without any hesitations and work together to make a difference in the lives of others.

"At the start of every class, I would sit down and on the top of my paper write down my goal:

 Goal: NFL

...it encouraged me to work hard so that I could one day reach it."

- Robert Hughes, Number 33 

Robert sitting down and answering student's questions

Robert in a "huddle" with students after the event

Robert and Collins students!

Robert and our City Year team!

Me: "What was your favorite part of the event?"
D.P.: "550." (Referencing that Robert can bench press 550 lbs.
Me: "And your least favorite?"
D.P.: "...(after a long pause) I can't think of any. It was all good!"

Me: "M, did you like it?!"
M.T.: "Yeah, it was all great!"

Me: "What you think of it, E? Did you like it?"
E.S.Jr.: after he comes up to me and gives me a high five, "It was great! I'm so glad I got a chance to talk to him. And you know, there were 2 future pro football players in that room..."
Me: "You and Robert Hughes?!"
E.S.Jr.: "YES!"