Darnell actually grew up in central Florida playing soccer, and only stumbled into a career in hockey later in life. Perhaps that's why, then, he tries to do some hockey outreach in his communities both around NOLA and back home in the Tampa Bay area every year. In coordination with TBB, this year he's gone back to his old middle school to talk to some of the kids there. Darnell knows that his career is based pretty highly on circumstance, so doesn't focus too much solely on hockey, but instead focuses his speech on the importance of trying new things, doing things for yourself, and sticking with the things you love. Which were some of the principals that led him first to Notre Dame as a student, and eventually led to him trying out for both the soccer team and the hockey team.

Without taking chances on yourself, it's hard to go anywhere meaningful in life. If you're doing something because someone else things you should, if your heart's not in it, it'll be hard for you to succeed. It might still be a meaningful experience, but you need to reward yourself by doing meaningful activities that you care about, and once you find something you enjoy, you should stick with it. Pursue your passion and work to be the best at it that you can be.