Head Coach Sonil Haslam: Forever a Winner
Today, we come to you with heavy hearts. Along with the entire Akron community, we are mourning the loss of our great friend Sonil Haslam, Head Football Coach at Akron North High School.
It’s hard to put into words the impact Coach Haslam’s life has had on so many. If there was ever a coach who was coaching for the right reasons, that coach was Sonil Haslam.
When Coach Haslam accepted the job to lead the Vikings football program in 2016, he knew it wasn’t going to be easy. He knew he would have a hard time fielding a team, let alone winning a football game, but that did not deter Coach Haslam. He knew that winning was so much more than the final score on Friday night.
Winning is being there for your players on and off the field, day in and day out. Winning is being a man of God, a man of character, and an example to those who look up to you. Winning is being a great husband, a great father, and a great friend. It didn’t always show up on the scoreboard, but Coach Haslam knew how to win where it mattered.
When FullyEquipped was founded in 2017, the first team we worked with was Akron North Football because of our good friend, Sonil.
Coach Haslam was always extremely grateful for anything we were able provide and help with. It was clearly evident that he just wanted the best for his players and his team.
After FullyEquipped renovated the Vikings weight room in 2018, Coach Haslam would send us videos and pictures of the team utilizing the space. He would always end the message with the well known phrase “Carpe Diem”, meaning “Seize the Day”.
In honor of Coach Haslam, I hope we can all remember to “Seize the Day” every day that we have. Seize the day to be the best that you can be, to be a great coach, a great mentor, a great husband, a great father, a great brother, or a great friend.
If you do that, you will never have to look at the scoreboard because you will always be winning.
Rest in peace Coach Haslam. You are forever a winner in our books.
Carpe Diem!
The FullyEquipped Team
Yes love this my brother would be so pleased with the love and respect he is receiving just a wonderful person I miss he so deeply love you Sonil aka Paw one love
SonilHaslam’s Uncle James and Aunt Mary are so proud of his coaching and leadership accomplishments and blessing the teams and others. Also for his beautiful and wonderful family. We will miss his beautiful spirit and humor! So much fun to be with! With all of our love to family. Thanks