Hardin-Simmons University has hired Joshua Hunter as its new throwing coach.
Hunter is a Christian who loves Jesus, family and friends. Hunter is an Abilene native, and graduated from Abilene High School and Abilene Christian University.
He attends Redeemer Church of Abilene. Hunter enjoys many different kinds of sports, including track and field, football, basketball, pickleball, tennis, baseball, softball, boxing and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
“I show individuals how to throw heavy objects as far as they can,” Hunter said. “That is how I explain my role in short form. I coach shot put, discus, hammer throw, weight throw and javelin.”
“I highly value development and improvement as well as the process that comes along with developing,” Hunter said. “So, I have been placed in a position to see someone's development journey and aid in their development journey, firsthand. I consider that a huge blessing from the Lord to be in such a position.”
Hunter emphasized the importance and enjoyment from the growing process within throwing, and how God used the sport of throwing to help him grow in other areas of his life and not just as an athlete.
“What I enjoy most about throwing is the process of growth for your whole entire life that comes by way of learning the throws,” Hunter said. “During my time with throwing, the Lord allowed me to see how He used these events to help me grow in other areas of my life and not just as an athlete.
In this objective sport, the results are the results. There are no asterisks around it. You throw something, it lands, and that's how far it went. This sport allows you to be honest with yourself, with both your successes and your failures. When I didn't get a mark that I desired, I couldn't look at anyone else but myself. I am the only one in the throwing ring, so my results show me where I am at that given moment. This is a hard truth to reckon with sometimes. But my faith in Jesus Christ and facing this reality gave me courage and confidence to keep striving to overcome my obstacles. So, if I wanted to get better, I had to listen to the coaching I was given, the wisdom and encouragement from my teammates and apply myself by putting in the hard work to improve.”
Hunter attributes failure as being one of the greatest teachers in not only throwing, but in life as well.
“Coming face to face with the realities of my failures in the ring helped me reshape the way I thought about failure,” Hunter said. “I failed a lot in the ring, but I got better when I worked through it and found ways to overcome my obstacles. So, this process permeated into every other area in my life. My faith, school, relationships, and any job that I had. Thus, I owe a huge debt of gratitude and praise to the Lord for using these events to help me in this regard. This is why I absolutely love this sport and specifically these events.”
Hunter notes many different lessons that God taught him through throwing, and seeks to share them with those that he is training.
“Realizing the lessons the Lord was teaching me through the throws, lessons such as perseverance, applying myself in all areas of my life, giving my all, patience, grace, mercy, joy, kindness, camaraderie, uplifting others in their journey, actually going through life with others, importance of connections and more is when I grew a love and passion for these events,” Hunter said. “That's what I love about throwing.”
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