Positive Athlete

Norwin Ninjas builds “Champions In Life” Connor Burns (2013) & Dominic Leader (2012) were honored by Hines Ward as the most positive athltes in Martial Arts. We are proud that our black belts make a difference in the community!

SEVEN DEINITIONS OF A POSITIVE ATHLETE:

1.Optimistic Attitude – Most coaches will tell you that an athlete who believes positive things will happen has a greater chance for success.

2.Encouraging Teammate – In every sport, teammates are going to experience some kind of failure. Positive Athletes are the first ones to encourage them.

3.Servant Leader – Positive Athletes do not think about being the “stars of the team.” They lead through serving others first and by setting an example.

4.Heart for Others – Many athletes are blessed with gifts that many others are not. The Positive Athlete seeks to help the less gifted or fortunate.

5.Admits Imperfections – This is Positive Athlete…not Perfect Athlete. Athletes willing to admit they make mistakes gain the respect of teammates and fans.

6.Always Gives 100% – Not every athletic competition goes as planned, but a Positive Athlete always gives 100% no matter what the scoreboard says.

7.Puts Team First – There are times when personal achievement may hurt the team’s goal. Positive Athletes choose their team.

Hines Ward’s Role & Impact

• Spokesperson & Face of the Program
  For Western Pennsylvania, Hines Ward has been the prominent public face and spokesperson for Positive Athlete since its regional inception in 2011 steelers.com+11positiveathlete.org+11cobbfoundation.org+11steelers.com+1steelers.com+1.

• Scholarships & Awards Host

  • In 2019, he co-presented scholarships and Positive Athlete awards to over 30 student-athletes during the Sen. John Heinz History Center event—distributing more than $16,000 tribhssn.triblive.com+1cbsnews.com+1.

  • Previously, he personally presented awards to 27 students in 2015 during a similar ceremony cbsnews.com.

• Fundraiser & Ambassador

  • Hosted charity events like the Positive Athlete Golf Challenge at Nevillewood to raise funds for scholarships and programs cbsnews.com+7steelers.com+7positiveathlete.org+7.

  • Acknowledged by Positive Athlete leadership as “an inspiration and example for what we do” and a credible role model en.wikipedia.org+7medium.com+7mlb.com+7.

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The Positive Athlete Program

• Mission
  Promotes character, leadership, and community service in student-athletes through recognition, development programs, and college scholarships positiveathlete.org+1positiveathlete.org+1.

• Western PA Impact
  Since launching locally in 2011, it’s awarded over $200,000 in scholarships and recognized thousands of athletes en.wikipedia.org+3positiveathlete.org+3positiveathlete.org+3.

• Expanding Reach
  The Positive Athlete model, with Hines Ward as a core ambassador, has grown into other regions like Minnesota and beyond steelers.com+13mlb.com+13medium.com+13.

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️ Why It Matters

• Authentic Advocacy
  Ward uses his own journey—from facing bullying in Korea/Georgia to NFL success and Super Bowl MVP—as inspiration for students overcoming adversity en.wikipedia.org+5medium.com+5positiveathlete.org+5.

• Charitable Leadership
  His involvement lends visibility, credibility, and community trust to the program, encouraging nominations and support from schools and families.