A closer look at one of America's most inspirational Student-Athletes

Looking for a positive role model for young athletes? Consider Marcus Hendren, a senior at JohnstownMonroe High School in Johnstown, Ohio. We did, and we were so impressed with this young man that he was BFS’s unanimous choice for the 2007 BFS Male High School Athlete of the Year. Since BFS is a magazine about student-athletes, let’s start by reviewing Marcus’s accomplishments in the athletic arena. First, like all athletes we consider for this award, Marcus is a multiple-sport athlete, competing in football, basketball, baseball and lacrosse. He excels in all four, but the sport that caught our eye – and the eyes of college scouts – is football.

At 5 feet 11 and 185 pounds, Marcus has 4.5 speed and plays running back and defensive back for the Fighting Johnnies. The slogan for the 2006 team, which finished 9-3 and was a regional semifinalist, was “We Are Taking Care of Business.” And this year Marcus did exactly that as he ran for 2,900 yards (8.4 yards carry average) and 36 touchdowns, twice scoring six touchdowns in one game. He is ranked as one of the top five leading rushers in Ohio, and he was a finalist for the Mr. Football award, which is given by the media to the young man they believe is the best football player in the state. In the weightroom, Marcus, pound-for-pound, is one of the strongest players you will find anywhere.

Starting with the A talented multi-sport athlete with a 3.9 GPA, Marcus was an obvious choice for BFS’s most prestigious award.

A closer look at one of America’s most inspirational student-athletes BY KIM GOSS Marcus Hendren:

BFS Male High School Athlete of the Year BFS Readiness program in junior high, Marcus trained hard and increased his strength to the level where he can power clean 275 pounds, bench 320, and full squat 500. Whew! And academically, you can’t expect much more from a young man. He holds a 3.9 GPA and scored 27 on the ACT.

Second to None Mike Carter is the athletic director and head football coach at JohnstownMonroe High, and he has coached Marcus throughout his entire high school experience. Because Marcus’s older brother, Dustin, had played for the Johnnies, Carter knew that with Marcus he was getting a young man from a great family; he would have a work ethic second to none. “We strongly believe here that hard work will pay off in big dividends, as long as you believe and give it all you’ve got. We tell kids to be tough, try as hard as they can, and have fun.”

Carter says that thanks to his introduction to conditioning with the Readiness program, Marcus had good technique and was ready to get strong – which he did sooner than expected. “Marcus’s quickness improved tremendously during his freshman year, so by his sophomore year he became a starter at defensive back.” Carter says that by his junior year his strength levels had improved tremendously, so he was moved to starting tailback, rushing for more than 1,000 yards, while also playing outside linebacker. In 2006, Carter says, Marcus’s dedication to being the best he could be – “He was always the first one in the weightroom and the last one to leave” – had a positive effect on his teammates.

“Marcus was not the most vocal of our players, but his work ethic made him stand out as a fantastic leader. When you have a young man who works hard and has high goals and aspirations, the other kids start to look at that and join in.” And that’s exactly what happened: Along the way Marcus became cocaptain of the basketball, baseball and football teams. When describing Marcus’s character, Carter says, “It’s unbelievable how humble this young man is. He has never been in trouble, from kindergarten to 12th grade – he is the perfect, role-model student, very likeable, very quiet, and friends to everyone.”

Carter adds that in his spare time, Marcus is involved in the local 4-H club and participates in fairs where he shows and sells farm animals. A snapshot of Marcus’s character occurred in one of his breakout games in his junior year. Says Carter, “All the reporters wanted to interview him, and Marcus came up to me and said, ‘Coach, I only want to do this interview if I can bring the linemen with me, because they were the ones who did it.’ Sure enough, he took the linemen up with him for his post-game interview – and that’s the way it’s always been. All his interviews are never about ‘me’; they’re about success being a team effort and he’s just one piece of the machinery.”

Much of Marcus’s success can be traced to a strong, supportive family that includes his mother, Ann; father, Dave; and two brothers, Dustin, 19, and Mitchell, 16. Dustin, who played linebacker for the Fighting Johnnies, is Last season Marcus rushed for 2,900 yards and 36 touchdowns. This photo was taken on the opening game of the season, where he rushed for 420 yards on 20 carries and scored six touchdowns.

Shown when he was in junior high school, Marcus started with the BFS Readiness program. now playing for Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. Mitchell, who got to play alongside Marcus this year on the lacrosse team, carries a 4.3 GPA. Marcus’s family lives on a dairy farm; the family business is a dairy-andgrain operation that Marcus would like to help carry on after a college career that will focus on business and agriculture. And Dave, who works alongside his own father in the business, says he is thrilled that Marcus wants to return to the farm after college.

“There’s nothing greater than working alongside your Head Football Coach Mike Carter presents Marcus with the award for All-Ohio 1st Team Division V Offensive Player of the Year. children.” Hard work and a matter-of-fact belief in yourself is a strong trait in the Hendren family. Ann, agrees. “Marcus is very focused and has goals. When he does something, he does it 110 percent. Marcus leads by example.” About the success of his children, Dave adds, “Marcus and his brothers simply have a lot of pride in what they are doing – they want to do the best they can for themselves. I’ve never forced Marcus or his brothers to study – they just do it. That’s the way it’s supposed to be.”

An early photo of Marcus and his brother Dustin helping pour cement at their farm, and Marcus showing one of his animals at the fair.

Although he weighs only 185 pounds, Marcus can bench 320, squat 500 and power clean 275.

The Hendren family (left to right): Dustin, Ann, Marcus, Mitchell, and Dave.

In his spare time, Marcus coaches basketball for the Johnstown Youth Athletic Association.

“The most inspiring night of my life!” ~Kyle Meyers, Rutherford B. Hayes High, OH “Reaffirmed the reason I entered coaching 25 years ago.”

“Be An 11 has changed my life! - Coach Al McFarland school in the nation should schedule a Be An 11 Seminar today! I WILL BE AN 11!” “Every It is without a doubt the best thing that has happened to our school.” - Katie Heinlen “This is exactly what our school and community needed.” - Coach Fox A BFS Presenter will come to your The cost is only school and will spend up to three $1,400 up to 50 athletes. hours inspiring, motivating and Add’l athletes only $15 each. educating your athletes how to Includes the Be an 11 Guidebook! become true elevens! *Christian B11 is also avaliable (Interested schools can request free Be An 11 Book & Seminar literature)

Other Clinic Options: 2 Day & Be an 11 Seminar / 2 Day Clinic / 1 Day & Be an 11 Seminar / 1 Day Clinic / Certification Clinic If a B11 Clinic is combined with a 1 or 2-day BFS Clinic, the cost is only $15 per athlete, no minimum.

The Best Way to Get Started on the BFS Program!

Now Includes the BFS Clinic Exercise Instruction DVD! 1. BFS Clinic Exercise Instruction DVD.

From BFS Magazine — May/June 2007. Part of the BFS Magazine Archive (1980–2014).