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West Brook’s David Falgout is known as a hardnosed football player. However, he is also an insatiable student. He’s a leader (Sometimes vocal. Always by example.). Time doesn’t permit David to maintain close friendships with as many people as he might like. But, for most people, he can be understood within the constructs of three simple words: speed, time and direction.
Speed: swiftness of action. David has been pushing himself to be a leader and a difference-maker on the field since he started playing in 7th grade. The speed is certainly more a product of that hard work than anything else. David has been helping lead the Bruins in a near year-round workout regimen in preparation for the 2007 season. A quiet leader, he earns players’ respect because of his discernable determination to set the right example. Last summer, the sun broiled the practice field during summer workouts in July. After voluntary weight room and agility work, the physically depleted group would line up for ten to twenty 100 yard sprints. Players fought daily with fatigue and/or dehydration. Occasionally, a player would stop to throw up. Others didn’t stop. Still, each day Falgout would push beyond physical impediments, using that speed to put himself out front and set the bar for the Bruins. Old coaches will say that games are not won on gameday, but on days like these.
Time: A nonspatial continuum in which events occur in apparently irreversible succession. More than any football team, Falgout battles the minute hand on the wall for mastery of the day. He must wrestle with the clock to maintain his performance in the classroom, where he is #16 in a class of 520. He is on the “A” Honor Roll and Vice President of the National Honor Society. He hustles the halls to help lead the ICC and Student Council. He maintains bedrock relationships with family. And, in addition to all of this, on some days he defies the clock and makes time to play the piano, at which he is accomplished. Still, Falgout exposes his competitiveness by conceding that he would like to create some time to try sky-diving.
Direction: one’s bearing toward a goal. The end zone may be his immediate goal. His long-term goal is known only to him. Still, no one who has met him would question the integrity of the course he will plot to get there. He credits his parents, John and Kristin for “always pushing me to work hard in the class room, always putting academics first”. He further credits West Brook teacher, Mrs. Barbara Abel for always challenging him. Strong parents and committed mentoring helped David develop the discipline to maintain his direction.
Students and teachers may know him within the context of sports. Some may know him within the context of the classroom. Bruin Fans know him as that fast #9 in their program. Still, very few know him very, very well. Being David Falgout means moving from place to place too fast, too quickly in his own upward direction for someone else to keep pace. Yet, no one would deny that he is the embodiment of the qualities West Brook High School and the Bruin Football Program espouses. It would have been worthwhile to delve into those qualities further during our discussion. But, he had to run…. He was out of time.
Mrs. Barbara Abel: David Falgout is a pleasure to teach. I taught David Pre-AP Calculus las year. I presently teach him AP Calculus. David is very conscientious, and is mature beyond his years. It is obvious that his parents have done a wonderful job in raising their children.
I also taught David's older brother, John Michael. They both are very courteous and respectful at all times. It is obvious that the value of a good education has been emphasized in David's home.
David will be an asset to whatver college or university he attends. If a college is interested in David for sports, all they have to do is look at his transcript and they will know that eligibility will never be an issue.
As I have stated, David is a very special young man. Students of his caliber do not come along that often. For that reason alone, you appreciate the student. I will miss David next year. I wish him the best wherever he chooses to go. If athletics i in his future, that will be fine. But, David will be successful with or without athletics.
Sincerely, Barbara Abel
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