December 16, 2022. It was a special day, for many reasons. It was also a day of reflection. Something bigger than a NCAA Championship football game was going to take place that night. Yes, the "Standard" is the "Standard" at the University of Mount Union, home of the 13-time National Champion Purple Raiders. However, the 2022 Stagg Bowl at the Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium meant more than who won and lost for one person in attendance. It was the perfect ending, regardless of the outcome, to a storybook journey.
John Hawk sat among the fans wearing purple and black looking for No. 20 on the field, beaming with pride and thankfulness. Proud of his son's dedication, leadership, and hard work during his career as a Purple Raider and thankful that he never missed watching his son play…in person, despite coming from Southern California, over 2,000 miles away.
Aaron Hawk, recruited as a free safety out of Gahr High School in Southern California, played like his last name. He was a "ball hawk" for the Gladiators holding school records for interceptions in a game (3), interceptions in a season (6), and interceptions for a career (9).
John knew Aaron wanted to play collegiately and wasn't interested in any West Coast schools. It was April 2018. Aaron chose Mount Union and there was never a doubt in either one's mind that John would be joining his son in Northeast Ohio.
"I knew my Dad had talked with me about going with me to wherever I went for college," Aaron said. "My Dad is my best friend, so I wasn't too surprised, especially since I'm an only child and my Dad was ready to retire. I was surprised that he decided to live so close and even work at Mount. I was kind of against it at first as I wanted to be on my own, but it turned out to be a huge blessing."
"The father-son relationship is vital and most important to me," said John who coached his son in various youth sports until high school. "Aaron was raised with a strong foundation of faith and a great love for sports."
They've also cheered together for all the Los Angeles teams, including being at two Kings Stanley Cup Championships and the 2010 Lakers championship parade. Sports is what bonded them and continued to be the strong hold in Alliance, Ohio, and all the way through the 2022 NCAA Championship game.
John retired from a 17-year career as a fraud investigator with the Los Angeles County Social Services. Following a short semi-retirement in 2018 during Aaron's freshman year, John secured a position with Mount Union as a campus security officer. He was able to attend many practices and even helped with the music and lights during Thursday's walk-throughs before gameday. Other days John would try to stop by practices and watch from his Mount Union campus security car. "It always brought a smile to my face to see the security car there," said Aaron.
Aaron moved from safety to cornerback as a freshman. His dedication to his craft and listening to his Dad's advice on persistence, patience, and hard work moved him to second string in his junior and senior years, picking off a pass in each of his final two years, while starting all special teams, something he did with passion and pride.
"He taught me how to never give up," said Aaron. "Being at Mount, there is a lot of competitiveness with amazing athletes and football players. When I first came to Mount, I started at the bottom. I was definitely down on myself, but talking with my Dad, it was all about getting better and being ready for when my number was called. Towards the end of my sophomore year, I finally got to play in a game on special teams. In the following years of my career at Mount, I became a big part of the team by having a large role on special teams, having a role in the nickel and dime packages, starting a game, and playing in important games during the playoffs on defense."
Aaron reflected on what being a Mount Union student-athlete has done for him as a man. "Being a Purple Raider has taught me a ton," he said. "One quote we say a lot is "Grinding out good days". This made sense to me for football, but being in the workforce now has shown me how important this is in work and life. Not every day is going to be the best day ever, but being able to turn it into something positive by making the most of the day can really snowball into something positive for you in the future. There is always something good you can take out of tough days. It has also taught me about confidence and a winning mentality. The mentality that I have learned from Mount has given me confidence in all of my abilities in all walks of life. Coming from a place where winning is expected and nothing less is acceptable has driven me and held me to the "Standard"."
That "Standard" is something John will continue to witness as a fan as he kept his season tickets for the 2023 season. This season, John will be sitting in the same seat and section he has since Aaron's sophomore year, a section John wanted to sit in because that's the best vantage point of watching the Mount Union defense after they got off the field. Aaron, who secured a job with the Cleveland Cavaliers after graduating Mount Union with a degree in sports business, won't be suited up. John doesn't deny how difficult it will be and the void that will be present, however, a father-son bond lasts longer than a football career. For the first time in 14 years, John won't be looking for No. 20 on the football field, however, the memories will live on and the cheering will not stop. The beauty of being a parent is that the cheering for your child never stops. Doesn't stop after the last game. Doesn't stop after your child secures a job. Doesn't stop after your child finds love. Doesn't stop after your child has a child.
"I go to him first for any advice that I have," said Aaron. "I can't imagine where I would be or the kind of man I would be today if it wasn't for my Dad. He has always been in my corner and has helped me continue to pursue any passion I had."
"That final 2022 senior season was very special," John said. "To watch Aaron cap his final season of a football career at the Stagg Bowl at Navy Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland was something I will never forget because I served eight years in the Navy after 9/11."
A perfect setting to the final chapter of a story about the love of a father for his son and the love of a son for his father. That's a win in the game of life.
