They break baseball bats on their backs, rip telephone books in two, and bust up bricks and cinderblocks with their bare hands. These men of steel are no joke. But they have a way of mending tattered lives with their powerful message of hope, perseverance and honor.
Meet the Strength Team, a group of 20 men and one woman, comprised of professional athletes with various athletic backgrounds. There are professional football players, body-builders, power lifters — and even a professional bull rider.
You may have seen some of these amazing athletes on CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, and even an episode of “Walker Texas Ranger.” Not only are these athletes strong of body, but also of mind and spirit.
How I wish that I were 14 again when I could just gobble up everything that these men have to offer in all 16 school assemblies throughout Federal Way, Auburn, Tacoma and Fife. For five days, Oct. 26-30, these men will flex muscles and inspire the hearts of their young charges in Federal Way.
Assemblies will be held at the following schools: Lakota, Saghalie, Enterprise, Mirror Lake, Sequoyah, Valhalla, Meredith Hills, Totem, Decatur and Federal Way High. Out-of-the-district schools are Chief Leischi Elementary and Tacoma Baptist School.
It’s not fair for the under-18 crowd to have all the fun. That’s why the big guys will have special performances 7 p.m. nightly at the Decatur High School gymnasium for those parents and grandparents wishing to see these feats live.
It’s a free fun-filled family gathering fit for all audiences. Students can double-dip again with their parents and friends, indulging themselves with more of the steely performers.
While the Strength Team has toured many states and countries, the group has many Pacific Northwest bragging rights. Mike Hagen, who founded the group in 2001, is a product of the Evergreen State, having gone to junior college in Walla Walla. In 1982, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks, retiring from professional football in 1986.
Dr. Andre Sims, another member of the powerful Strength Team, hardly needs any introduction in these corners. Senior pastor at Christ the King Bible Fellowship, Sims was drafted into the NFL, but declined. The gym rat — er, horse – went on to further his education, earning a doctorate.
Herb Hartso, a financial planner in Bellevue, is a former linebacker for the Huskies. He was a super athlete at Stadium High. Using brain and brawn, Hartso later earned a finance degree from the University of Washington.
What exactly is the mission of these muscle-bound athletes? The group uses sports and entertainment as a way to draw students’ attention. They combine these elements with education to encourage students.
The overall goal of the assemblies is to take a new but fun approach to discuss making the right choices, goals and dreams, anti-tobacco, drugs and alcohol, bullying to character building, among other positive affirmations.
Over the last 10 years, the Strength Team has been able to wow thousands of students through their professional athletes and their captivating feats of strength. The nationally-recognized school assembly program is 45 minutes long.
Learn more
The team prides itself as one of the most requested motivational assembly programs in the United States today, pulling kudos from principals, administrators, teachers and parents. Here are some of the testimonials gleaned from a few of those schools:
• “I know that the team has made an impact on many students here, and this is an event they will always remember.” – Dee Ramsey, principal, Live Oak Elementary, Fla.
• “I am writing to strongly recommend your team as an assembly for students and schools across the country.” – Phyllis Blair, principal of Lenoir Middle School, N.C.
• “On behalf of Dora High School, I would like to recommend Mike Hagen’s Strength Team to perform for any age audience.” – Richard Edwin Pate, principal, AL.
The Strength Team is headquartered in Missoula, Mont. For more information, contact Kathy Burton, (888) 778-3628 and info@strengthteam.com. Local contacts are Dr. Andre Sims at (253) 202-1750, 253-835-9202 and rusaved@reachone.com, or Brad McElroy at brad-karen@comcast.net.
