"Keeping yourself held accountable is important because you need to put the work in yourself, no one else can do it for you " - Cooper King

Athlete of the Month

We're thrilled to introduce our Athlete of the Month.

Every month, we recognize and celebrate the dedication, passion, and hard work of an outstanding athlete in our VIP community.

We call them 'Next Play Athletes' because they are disciplined, determined, and don't let anything stop them from achieving what they want.

They always move forward because they stay focused on their Next Play.

Size and talent alone don't make up who they are; heart and character do.

They actively seek coaching and accountability, working tirelessly to improve crucial skills such as marketing and selling themselves.

Meanwhile, their peers often wait for coaches to approach them and then resort to making excuses.

It is always one of the hardest decisions to make.

That said, this month we would like to honor, congratulate, and recognize, Cooper King.

A few quick facts about Cooper King:

• Position: Linebacker

• School: Pinnacle High School

• Goal: Secure the best possible college football scholarships

• Offers: Hillsdale (D2), Arizona Christian University

• Signed: Hillsdale

A few quotes and insights from our athlete of the month:

1. What inspires you to work so hard towards earning a scholarship?

"I want to continue to play the sport I love in college."

2. Why did you think it was important to start this process now?

"I started late and it was imperative that I started when I did or I wouldn't have had any opportunities."

3. How important is accountability in achieving your scholarship?

"Keeping yourself held accountable is important because you need to put the work in yourself, no one else can do it for you."

4. What do you believe stops athletes from getting a scholarship?

"Laziness stops athletes from getting scholarships."

5. What do you believe is the biggest reason that gets in their way?

"Lack of commitment and desire for scholarships kills them."

Are you inspired by his story and journey?

Cooper King isn't just any linebacker at Pinnacle High School; he's a force to be reckoned with, both on the field and off.

Recently crowned as an All-region 1st team Linebacker and Kicker, Cooper's talent stretches way beyond his physical abilities.

The kid's a dual-threat, dominating as a linebacker and a kicker...

But what really sets Cooper apart is his relentless pursuit of growth, even though he started the recruiting process pretty late in the game.

He's not one to sit back and wait for opportunities; he's out there making them happen, even though he has never liked or wanted the spotlight at all...

And landing a few scholarships was just the first step for him.

Cooper didn't stop until he signed a scholarship offer to Hillsdale, a testament to his never-settle attitude.

And with a little help from his folks, he didn't just accept what was offered; he fought for the best scholarship package possible.

See, Cooper gets it.

He knows that making it big in sports today isn't just about how fast you can run or how hard you can hit. It's about having the smarts of an entrepreneur.

This guy's not just playing the game; he's changing it, turning his athletic prowess into a full-blown business venture with the help of his parents.

Cooper lives by a simple rule: if you want something, go get it. Don't wait around for someone else to hand it to you.

That's what makes him a true 'Next Play Athlete.'

And let me tell you, Cooper King's story is the kind that lights a fire under you.

It's a reminder that in this cutthroat world of college football, it's not just about your game day performance.

It's about how you gear up for the long haul, how you set yourself up for life beyond the field.

We're all just watching, waiting to see what Cooper tackles next.

But one thing's for sure: with his work ethic and coach-ability, the sky's the limit for this kid.

--

Richie Contartesi, Founder of Next Play

Discover the strategy used:

Apply To Work 1-on-1 With Richie

Richie's mentorship program provides access to the entire Next Play® protocol for earning a football scholarship, complete with mentorship, coaching, and accountability for your son, thereby ensuring he develops into an elite communicator, leader, and businessman, and ultimately earns a full-ride scholarship.

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