G Great leaders inspire those around them to become better leaders and help make their world a better place. Two examples of the impact he had on people come from a friend and teammate who played for my Dad, and a student who attended the school. Tom was a high school senior who visited a college that he had never heard of, in a state that he had never been to. He was an intelligent, African American basketball player who met my Dad with the hopes of getting an athletic scholarship. It was at this initial meeting that my Dad talked about the college, the Benedictine monks who ran the school, the professors, his family, and friends in the area. He talked about all of this in terms of family. But he talked mostly about the opportunity for Tom to get a great education.
D Did he talk about basketball or the team or a scholarship?
G That’s the remarkable thing, and I guess it’s why his leadership was so impactful and life-altering for so many young men. He never mentioned basketball, the team, or the scholarship. He wanted this young man to get a great education. The fact that he played basketball was a bonus for both of them.
D What happened?
G Tom decided then and there to attend school. He went on to a wonderful academic and athletic career at the school. He then received a Master’s degree and then a Ph.D. and is now the President and CEO of a Children’s Health Organization and Hospital. He recently spoke at the ‘Naming of the Court’ ceremony.
D He sounds like quite an outstanding person. Your Dad must have been proud of him.
G He told me that he was proud to just be a small part of Tom’s success.
D What is the story of the other student you mentioned?
G Jackie is a wonderful man who was blind from birth. But this never got in his way. His father knew my Dad and he took Jackie to every one of the home basketball games and quite a few of the away games. In fact, Jackie came to almost all of my high school games, and his Dad would do a play by play of the game for him. Jackie, during and after his time at the college, actually did some live color commentary on the radio for the school.
D That’s quite a story. G Jackie is a wonderful man who was blind from birth. But this never got in his way. His father knew my Dad and he took Jackie to every one of the home basketball games and quite a few of the away games. In fact, Jackie came to almost all of my high school games, and his Dad would do a play by play of the game for him. Jackie, during and after his time at the college, actually did some live color commentary on the radio for the school.
D That’s quite a story.
G The real story is about Jackie’s first days on campus, as an incoming freshman. My Dad personally escorted him on a tour of the campus, showed him where his classes would be, and introduced him to all of his professors. He also made the professors commit to him, and to Jackie, that they would do whatever it took to make sure all of Jackie’s needs were meant and that he would get a great education. They met their commitment and Jackie graduated. He also spoke at the ‘Naming of the Court’ ceremony
D He was a lot more than a basketball coach. He was a leader who truly cared for and about people, and it sounds like he did not ask for anything in return.