INA, Ill. (January 17, 2024)—Anthony Hargrove is a drum major for change. He visited Rend Lake College in honor of Martin Luther King Day to share that small acts of services can make a large impact on communities.
Anthony Hargrove gives an inspiring speech on being a positive change in the community.
Hargrove is a teacher, a coach, an athlete, and a mentor, and in every facet of his life, he motivates those on his team. Much like the drum majors found at the front of the marching band, leading the way with boisterous energy, Hargrove leads others in the same way.
He said a drum major for change is a pillar in the community, they are someone who inspires and motivates those who follow.
“We’re all part of a team,” Hargrove said. “Whether it’s a sports team, corporate team, or an academic team.”
And Hargrove understands what it means to be on a team.
A retired NFL Super Bowl Champion, Hargrove had a 10-year career in the National Football League playing for the St. Louis Rams, Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saint, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, and Dallas Cowboys. He won the Super Bowl in 2009 while playing for the Saints.
When he reflected on the times he spent with his teammates, he said, “We spoke about our lives, not just about football…” He said getting to know one another on a deeper level made an impact in how they performed on the field. “We were more communicative, which made us better players.”
He realized the positive impact he had by simply opening the door to conversations and listening to others. By getting to know individuals on a personal level, find out what theirs needs were, and meet them where they were, he was giving back to his community, which in this case was his team. It is then he began to develop the mentality of being a drum major for change and it is an attitude he carried with him throughout the rest of his football career and beyond.
After his career in the NFL, Hargrove transitioned into teaching and coaching. He moved to Southern Illinois to be closer to his family and from there he worked at Marion High School as a security guard and football coach. He moved to Oakland Education Center after that to work as a Behavior Technician, then moved to Christopher Ziegler-Royalton High School to coach football for 7 seasons.
He found that academics and sports go hand-in-hand, and his coaching style on the field did not differ much from how he coached in the classroom. In every role he took on, he continued to motivate and empower everyone who was on his team.
“I want to be a transformative leader and help shape the new generation,” Hargrove said.
He visited RLC on behalf of AmeriCorps, an organization that has a mission which aligns with his.
“[AmeriCorp] is about community and development,” he said. “I grew up in a small town and I understand it’s the individuals who make the communities. If we can empower each individual to play a role in their communities to the best of their abilities, we can truly achieve a lot.”
Hargrove reminded RLC audiences that by leading with a positive attitude, empowering others, and being a drum major for change are small ways we can give back to our community.
RLC recognizes that we as an institution are lead by the community and would like to extend our gratitude towards Hargrove for visiting our campus.
To learn more about AmeriCorp at RLC, click the link below.