High school can look very different from person-to-person. From sacking the opposing team’s Quarterback to carrying large bales of hay, one player on the football team has gained more life experience than most other teenagers. Revere High School (RHS) Senior Brody Bard has balanced his time between school at RHS and Cuyahoga Valley Career Center (CVCC), Football, diesel mechanic work, and farm work.
Brody has a busy day, going from school to CVCC and back to school for football.
“After that most nights I end up just going home… but if I get out early enough I’ll go to work after,” Bard said.
Bard will soon begin early placement, meaning he will go straight to work after school instead of CVCC. Bard is a part of the power equipment program at CVCC, which he wants to use to enter the field of diesel mechanics.
“The motto we go by is ‘anything that runs and fits in the door we will work on’ but we actually work on stuff that won’t fit in the door… we do everything,” Bard said.
Bard said a large part of being able to balance his responsibilities is to have a good work ethic. Bard’s time at work has given him an advantage on the football field.
“I have been working from a young age… sometimes I don’t come out to football until August, but I’m not going to lie, I might be more conditioned then the kids who have been running all summer,” Bard said.
Bard said the drive he gained from work keeps him going on the field. Bard handles various farm duties depending on the season.
“As time goes on in the year you change what you’re working on, sometimes we work twenty hours a day cutting hay, plowing, or getting seeds in the ground,” Bard said.
One of Bard’s close friends and teammates is Rowan Klein, who has known Bard his whole life.
“What’s notable about (Bard) is his spunky, go get ‘em attitude,” Klein said.
Klein said the grit and determination that Bard brings to the team sets him apart from others.
“He’s a very hard worker and was raised with good values from his mom,” Klein said.
Klein said Bard loves working on the farm and enjoys doing the work. Bard has had success so far as a farm worker, and Klein said his thoughts on if Bard continues to pursue the career path.
“If he ever decided to start his own farm he would be very successful,” Klein said.
Klein also said that Bard’s work ethic from the farm helps him on the football field.
“Brody is such a good player because he tries to work harder than everybody else on the field. Even though he’s not the biggest or the fastest, he always gives 110% every single play and that’s what makes him a standout player,” Klein said.
Another person who has seen Bard’s drive and ability to manage his time is head football coach Bobby Nickol.
“Brody Bard has probably one of the best work ethics I’ve ever seen from a young man. From the time he walks in the building to the time he leaves, he does everything he possibly can,” Nickol said.
Nickol said Bard is a great contributor and leader for the football team on and off the field.
“He’s just everything you want in a young man,” Bard said.
Nickol also said Bard has become a good player by using the drive he’s gained. Bard is often too busy to attend off-season practices for football, but Nickol is confident in his ability to come back ready to play.
“He’s got so many things going on… but we also know when he shows up he is going to give us everything he has,” Nickol said.
Nickol also said Bard will be successful later in life due to the skills he is developing in high school.
“He’s somebody that you know is going to be successful in life just because he has all those life skills already at the age of seventeen,” Nickol said.
Bard has applied himself to all areas of life and shown his drive to those around him. Bard’s skills he is learning now is going to be useful to him as he in his post-high school journey.
