H-F Standout Hardy Enjoying Return to Alma Mater as Assistant Basketball Coach

While finishing up his master’s degree at Quincy University in 2009, Excell Hardy decided to stop by his old stomping grounds to visit some acquaintances at Homewood-Flossmoor High School.

It proved to be a worthwhile trip for the 2004 H-F graduate.

“I came to visit (current H-F basketball) coach Jim McLaughlin and (former H-F coach) Roy Condotti and the guys to see how they were doing,” Hardy said. “Coach Mac said now that you’re back we could really use your help connecting with the guys.

"I had some coaching experience under my belt and wasn’t too far removed from my playing days. I was very excited about the opportunity and coming back to H-F.”

Hardy is now preparing for his second season as McLaughlin’s assistant coach.

McLaughlin was an assistant coach to Condotti when Hardy helped the Vikings finish second at state in 2004.

“It’s been a wonderful experience,” Hardy said. “Being able to engage in the strategies and feeding off the expertise these guys have and passion they have as coaches, has been great. It lit a new fire under me, feeling like I add value to the staff. It allows me to continue to be part of the game I love. The whole school has been so welcoming of my presence. It’s almost like I never left.”

Hardy played two seasons at Augustana College (South Dakota) and two years at Quincy. His first opportunity to coach came from Quincy coach Marty Bell as a grad assistant.

“My coaches always said during my playing days that I was an extension of them, but I looked at it as I’m just doing my job,” Hardy said. “I’ve always been able to connect with players. It’s something I’ve always done instinctively.”

Condotti, who is now also an assistant coach at H-F, believes Hardy has been a fine addition to the staff.

“He relates great with the kids and is a natural,” Condotti said. “Kids gravitate toward him and he just has a knack for getting his point across without raising his voice. He has a presence and he’s one of those guys that commands respect.”

Hardy is also CEO/Partner at the Evolution of Advanced Minds–T.E.A.M. LLC, a branding and business consultant company specific to the needs of athletes and entertainers of small businesses.

“Even in high school and college, I always envisioned myself on the business end,” Hardy said. “I saw the pitfalls of a lot of athletes that didn’t market themselves in the proper fashion or have the proper resources backing them to go to the next level.

"I wanted to tap into that market where I could help individuals brand themselves or their business ventures and manage their process during their careers and post-playing days.”