Joe Rhea talks to the Razorbacks about decision-making

Nationally renowned motivational speaker Joe Rhea spoke to over 300 assembled Razorback student-athletes at the September edition of the University of Arkansas Athletic Department’s Student-Athlete Development program.Assistant athletic director for student life, Marvin Caston, chose Rhea to educate the Razorback athletes on the importance of making good decisions.“He showed some telling footage about those that chose to drink and drive,” Caston said. “It was very effective. He didn’t try to lecture the athletes, but I think his presentation got their attention.”Rhea’s talk focused on preventing impaired driving through good decision making.“Not only don’t drink and drive, but don’t get behind the wheel fatigued,” Caston added.Rhea’s remarkable story of overcoming a broken neck and paralysis as a teenager playing football was inspirational on its own, but his message to student-athletes is about making good decisions.In addition to showing example of what happened when people made poor decisions about driving under impaired conditions, Rhea used his own story to emphasize to the Razorbacks that they need to set goals and think big.“Joe had a great message that most of the people that are successful write out their goals,” Caston said.Speaking over 100 times a year to groups around the country, Rhea tells his personal story, often on behalf of the Think First National Injury Prevention Foundation.On his own personal Sept. 11, Rhea broke his neck and was told by doctors he would never walk again. He no longer uses a wheelchair, and through his example focuses on getting people to prevent brain and spinal cord injuries by avoiding poor decisions that might lead to catastrophic life-changing injuries.