Virginia Tech Strongman
ag s —' POPPY MORONTA | ALL SOUTH - PRO PROSPECT You can't grow as a person when it's always easy. As far On April 3, 1989, TIME magazine featured an as I'm concerned, we're placed on this earth to progress alarming report on how athletes and especially minority and when we do, by our own hard efforts, we feel good. athletes operate in our nation's colleges. Much of the We have confidence. We have self-esteem, pride, and blame for failure to graduate or to gain a meaningful character. We actually have the ability to help others and college experience was placed on the institutions be of service to our fellow man. themselves and upon the collegiate coaches.
Athletes Poppy Moronta went through this progression. were misused, abused and misguided. When all was That's the reason | like Poppy's story so much. He could said and done, athletes gave their colleges notoriety and easily have been another statistic. Another drop-out, gate receipts while they, in return, received no degree Another I-told-you-so minority failure. But, Poppy overcame the odds. He took on the responsibility for his and no future. Nothing but memories. But L also say, "What about the self-responsibility of success and placed it equally upon his own shoulders. the athlete?"
Surely a man must realize he must come to Poppy now knows, really knows, one of the greatest grips with himself. You can’t hold a man’s hand forever. lessons of life.
A man must go to class, do the assignments and assume Horatio “Poppy” Moronta grew up in the Manhattan borough of New York City. He was a street kid. Drugs academic weakness, then it should be his responsibility were a big part of his life. Poppy was asked every day from age eight to take drugs. He said "No" for years but some responsibility for graduating. If a help and bolster easy. It wasn't meant to be. when he was 14 he finally said “Yes.” ee 6dSERONG quietly revealed, “My dad found out and punished me.
He wouldn't speak to me for two weeks. me because I'm really close to my dad. I also hurt my mother. | made a decision. I've stayed clean since then.
Ilike to be in control of my mind and body."
Poppy is kind of a catchy name so I was interested as to how the nickname came about. his dad in his early years. say so his dad would call him “Poppy,” which in Spanish is an affectionate name for “son.” The name stuck through high school and college Poppy's father has been in the military for many years and moving from one school to another came often. Poppy attended Pemberton Township High School in New Jersey. played Nose lifting until after graduation.
Poppy Benches 440 pounds! because of their friendly campus That summer before entering Virginia began weight training. After a year and a half, Poppy was declared academically ineligible. fell just a little short.
| took the wrong classes.”
Poppy was at a pivotal point in his life. home and worked as a KP in the mess hall at his dad's military base. minority statistical drop-out and begin his life's as a dishwasher. Poppy didn't like it. Which way would he turn? A life of crime or drug dealing?
Poppy explained, “I learned during that year that your education is the most important thing a man can have. [ really wanted to come back to Virginia Tech and get my degree. Now, I'm squared away. Poppy came back determined to make it happen. He changed his major to Liberal Arts and Science. analyzed his academic strengths and weaknesses. Poppy and Hang Cleaned 375 pounds! is now on line to graduate in his fifth year. | asked Poppy what the most important things in life were to him. second, never cheat yourself. The way you do that is always give 100%.” Poppy's basic weight training and conditioning philosophy is this: "Give every ounce of effort you have in the weight room.
Do what you have to do. Don’t sit around and shoot the bull. As far as steroids, I've never been on them or asked to take them. anybody inject themselves. ['ve been blessed with a lot of natural strength so I've never had the desire.” Poppy attends a think it's important to have a religious background.” Continued on next page Poppy Parallel Squats 700 pounds!
HORACIO "POPPY"
MORONTA PROGRESS CHART FR. sO.
JR.
XThe complete man was beginning to emerge. | asked Poppy what he'd like to do after Virginia Tech and graduation.
Spontaneously he responded, "I'd like to coach, maybe, at the college level.” Maybe the complete man has already emerged. We have featured some of Gentry’s athletes before. First at East Carolina University, and now at Virginia Tech. I've always maintained that the Information. primary benefit derived from "sweating blood” in the weight room is not the physical gain but the mental gain Coach Gentry teaches this lesson well. your ability, your persistence and your willingness to fight through adversity. Poppy learned this and is now a Demonstrated by Coach Rowbotham!
Bench Press 400 pounds for you, no one can earn a college degree for you. That responsibility lies solely with Understand Style! thriving example for us all to look up to. Many thanks to Coach Gentry and his Upper Limit Coaching abilities. Many thanks to Horatio "Poppy" Moronta for overcoming the odds and coming out on top To order write: 805 West 2400 South Salt lake City, Utah 84119 IT BEEPS AT PARALLEL NO MORE GUESSWORK NO MORE ARGUMENTS LESS SUPERVISION REQUIRED When the thigh reaches parallel, the Safety Squat will BEEP! It eliminates all guess work in judging proper depth. Great motivational device and coaching aid! Some athletes don’t go down far enough.
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From BFS Magazine — Summer 1989. Part of the BFS Magazine Archive (1980–2014).
