Fatherly Advice Helps Hinnant On and Off the Court
2/11/2016 11:10:00 AM | Women's Basketball, Features
Millersville, Pa. - Forward Courtney Hinnant is playing a prominent role in Millersville's recent five-game winning streak, and with two Marauder starters out with injuries, Hinnant recently played a career-high 31 minutes and scored 11 points against Lock Haven. For Hinnant, a two-time PSAC Scholar-Athlete and member of a PIAA AAAA Championship team at Spring-Ford High School, it's all about being ready--one of the many lessons she learned from a father that played in the NFL.
Courtney's father, Michael, had experienced success in athletics at the highest level and taught his children the same lessons he learned as a star tight end at Temple and eventually in the NFL playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions from 1988-92.
Michael's football career came to a close before Hinnant was born, but the reputation earned from his accomplishments is not lost on her.
"My dad stopped playing professional football before I was born, so I do not remember his football career," said Hinnant. "However, I have heard that he was an outstanding athlete. He grew up in the projects in Washington D.C. and worked extremely hard to get to where he was."
Michael was inducted into the Temple University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998 after a career in which he was an AP and Sporting News All-American. After being drafted by the Steelers, he played in 21 games before moving to the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe. Three years later, he returned to the NFL and played a season with the Lions. Michael knows about chasing down a dream and what it takes to reach it.
"My dad was very hard on my sister and I growing up when it came to athletics as well as academics," said Hinnant. "He is very knowledgeable and understands the amount of time and effort it takes to become successful in sports. At the time, my sister and I did not want to listen to anything that he had to say, but now I realize that he just wanted us to accomplish our goals and aspirations, just like he did."
With sports so ingrained in her family life, Hinnant was exposed to basketball at a young age, first playing in co-ed recreation leagues. Michael would often take his daughters to Temple women's basketball games, where legendary women's player Dawn Staley was then the head coach. Staley was a friend of Michael's, so Courtney was afforded the opportunity to meet the players and ask questions.
"My dad played a very large role in my learning of the game," said Hinnant. "He was the one to take me to practices and games or would be the first person to volunteer to come to the gym with me to get workouts in."
Michael and Courtney's mother, Jessica, are in attendance at nearly every game—home or on the road. Just don't expect to notice them. Instead, Michael saves his teaching for one-on-one moments after games.
"When I was younger, he was extremely vocal and was not afraid to voice his opinion," said Hinnant. "Now that I play at the collegiate level, he keeps his comments to himself during the game, and afterwards will always tell me what I could have done better to be more successful on the court."
Michael's guidance has certainly helped Courtney on the court, as she has become an integral part of Millersville's rotation, averaging 18.7 minutes per game. But his best piece of advice has helped Courtney, a biology major with a 3.2 GPA, more so off the court.
"My dad always reminds me that I am a student first, and an athlete second," said Hinnant. "He has taught me that I should work hard not only on the court, but in the classroom as well. I am fortunate to have a parent that understands the struggles of being a student-athlete and always makes sure that I am successful both on and off the court."
Courtney's father, Michael, had experienced success in athletics at the highest level and taught his children the same lessons he learned as a star tight end at Temple and eventually in the NFL playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions from 1988-92.
Michael's football career came to a close before Hinnant was born, but the reputation earned from his accomplishments is not lost on her.
"My dad stopped playing professional football before I was born, so I do not remember his football career," said Hinnant. "However, I have heard that he was an outstanding athlete. He grew up in the projects in Washington D.C. and worked extremely hard to get to where he was."
Michael was inducted into the Temple University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998 after a career in which he was an AP and Sporting News All-American. After being drafted by the Steelers, he played in 21 games before moving to the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe. Three years later, he returned to the NFL and played a season with the Lions. Michael knows about chasing down a dream and what it takes to reach it.
"My dad was very hard on my sister and I growing up when it came to athletics as well as academics," said Hinnant. "He is very knowledgeable and understands the amount of time and effort it takes to become successful in sports. At the time, my sister and I did not want to listen to anything that he had to say, but now I realize that he just wanted us to accomplish our goals and aspirations, just like he did."
With sports so ingrained in her family life, Hinnant was exposed to basketball at a young age, first playing in co-ed recreation leagues. Michael would often take his daughters to Temple women's basketball games, where legendary women's player Dawn Staley was then the head coach. Staley was a friend of Michael's, so Courtney was afforded the opportunity to meet the players and ask questions.
"My dad played a very large role in my learning of the game," said Hinnant. "He was the one to take me to practices and games or would be the first person to volunteer to come to the gym with me to get workouts in."
Michael and Courtney's mother, Jessica, are in attendance at nearly every game—home or on the road. Just don't expect to notice them. Instead, Michael saves his teaching for one-on-one moments after games.
"When I was younger, he was extremely vocal and was not afraid to voice his opinion," said Hinnant. "Now that I play at the collegiate level, he keeps his comments to himself during the game, and afterwards will always tell me what I could have done better to be more successful on the court."
Michael's guidance has certainly helped Courtney on the court, as she has become an integral part of Millersville's rotation, averaging 18.7 minutes per game. But his best piece of advice has helped Courtney, a biology major with a 3.2 GPA, more so off the court.
"My dad always reminds me that I am a student first, and an athlete second," said Hinnant. "He has taught me that I should work hard not only on the court, but in the classroom as well. I am fortunate to have a parent that understands the struggles of being a student-athlete and always makes sure that I am successful both on and off the court."
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