Coach & Player Magazine Spring 2017 | Page 3

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR FRANK STEPHENS III We’re back! It’s been awhile since you’ve heard from us. We hope you find the spring 2017 issue of Coach & Player Magazine well worth the wait! Haason Reddick graces our cover this time around. Zamani and Chris did a wonderful job capturing his story of perseverance and strength. These next few months will be quite the odyssey for Haason. Projected to be a first-round pick in the NFL draft, his present situation speaks to the transforming power of hard work. Next, we have the story of Duke Blue Devils safety Brandon Feamster. Just to be clear, this young man did not have to go to prep school—he chose to. Brandon embraced a longer road to his dream, and because of this, his dream came true on a far bigger stage than had he chosen the shorter path. Grades vs. Gridiron could be easily mistaken as a story of contrition. The Ivy League’s decision to de-emphasize football may have seemed like a surrender of sorts to many people at the time. But I personally asked Rick to write this story because I’ve always viewed The Ivy League’s move away from “Big Time College Football” as more of a battle cry than a surrender. Some of my fondest family memories come from time spent in Atlantic City as a child. I’m adding any time I may spend taking in an Ann Michal performance to that list! Our coverage of both fitness and music as it relates to our passion for promoting an active lifestyle is still evolving. The fact that Ann comes to us with a deep commitment to both is a special treat. We are privileged to close this issue out with the one-of-kind exotic beauty of model and actress, Phoenix Skye. This is another story that I personally requested. I was immediately drawn in by Phoenix’s backstory. Taking time out to be a kid might not sound like a bold step. But take a moment to think of all the stories we hear of child actors, models, and athletes being pressured to do more and more only to end up going into adulthood completely damaged. Throw in some video game talk, and I’m hooked! If I had to choose a reoccurring theme for this issue, I’d say it’s the importance of building a solid foundation from which to build your future self upon. I believe each of our featured artists and athletes is a shining example of this truth in their own unique ways. So, if you find yourself at an impasse in life, don’t get discouraged. Welcome the opportunity to stop, turn around, and go back to rebuild a better foundation beneath yourself before you’re ready to achieve. Enjoy this new issue of Coach & Player Magazine. As always, I hope you find it a source of inspiration and encouragement on your journey to becoming more of whom you believe yourself to be. Welcome the opportunity to stop, turn around, and go back to rebuild a better foundation beneath yourself before you’re ready to achieve. FRANK STEPHENS III Editor-in-Chief Volume 3, Issue 1 Editor-in-Chief Frank Stephens III Deputy Editor-in-Chief Chris Franklin Senior Copy Editor Duncan Day Senior Graphics Editor Dan Fernandez Cover Photographer Zamani Feelings General Council Gerald R. Colmen Esq. 308 Greeland Drive Marion, AR 72364 LEGAL DISCLAIMER Coach & Player Magazine is a print publication and internet presence produced solely for in- formational and entertainment purposes only. All information contained within this publication should in no way be considered a recommendation or endorse- ment of any physical activities or philosophies regarding human health or physical fitness. It is our position that a licensed medical professional should be consulted when seeking advice or direction as what steps should be taken to improve one's per- sonal health or physical abilities. All exhibitions of physical train- ing and exercise depicted in this publication were performed or supervised by certified personal trainers, and no attempt to du- plicate these actions should be performed without proper super- vision and prior consultation with a licensed medical professional qualified to ensure it is safe for you to undertake these activities. WRITE TO US: Email: [email protected] Facebook: /coachandplayer Twitter: @coachandplayer Coach & Player Magazine • Spring 2017