Author's Note: This column was originally printed in The Cleveland Current on Sunday, May 17, 2015. CLEVELAND, Miss. - Have you taken the time lately to examine the lexicon of sports? Everything today is legendary, amazing, tremendous, outstanding, or spectacular. Losses are heartbreaking, gut wrenching or devastating. Sometimes these adjectives apply, but most of time they are used in place of descriptors that actually fit the storyline – average, normal, ordinary.
Today, we are quick to label some thing or some one as legendary when they are really just normal people with a skill most of us wish we had. We want to hit a round ball with a round bat 500 feet or rise above the crowd and throw home a dunk, but most of us don't have that ability. What we do have is an ability to impact the lives of others. Every one of us has this skill in some form or the other.
For the past 14 years, I have had the opportunity to work with some truly amazing people at Delta State University, individuals that routinely give 100 percent to something greater than themselves. When I think of the impact these people have had on my life, it makes me ask the question, how have I helped others? Do I make a difference? Will I make a difference?
Dr. Wayne Blansett, Dr. Henry Outlaw and Doug Sullivan are three men that truly deserve the label of legend in my mind, not because of their athletic prowess, but for their influence. All three men share a common trait – selflessness. The wellbeing of others was, is and has always been at the forefront of their legacies. All three have touched the lives of thousands of people and their influence has set in motion decisions that have or will shape generations.
Like our coaches with our student-athletes, all three of these men have had a profound impact on my life and career. How does one measure influence? I measure it by the time others are willing to give up in order to share their knowledge and experiences. I have been blessed by having them invest in me, my school, the Delta and Mississippi.
As Dr. Blansett retires from DSU, I am thankful for his countless discussions and the time he has shared molding me into a Statesman. His counsel has always been more valuable than he will ever know. I know I am just one of an innumerable group of men and women who owe a debt to him that will never be able to be repaid.
Sadly, Dr. Outlaw has passed away, but his legacy here at DSU, and within the Mississippi Delta, is almost unquantifiable. A brilliant scientist, Dr. Outlaw chose to invest here. He chose to be a difference maker and he worked to shine a light on topics that deserve our attention. He was an ambassador for the Delta and he did it with style. My only regret is that I did not spend more time with him.
Mr. Sullivan passed away many years ago, but he may have had more impact on me than anyone. As a newcomer to DSU, Doug took the time to teach me our history and to work with me expanding our marketing efforts across the state. He played football at Delta State, but was better known for his work with Senator Thad Cochran. He taught me that all people matter and that no stone should ever be left unturned. He wanted me to succeed and he always took the time to check on a wet-behind-the-ears radio guy. Truthfully, I used to joke that he treated me like a grandson. I miss him. I miss our talks.
You probably expected to read a column on the latest Delta State sports news or trend in sports, for that I apologize. That's not what's on my mind these days. Our community, state and region need more Wayne Blansetts, Henry Outlaws and Doug Sullivans. Their lives serve as an example of what it means to give, to serve.
I close with this - the real victories in life are how we change things for the better and the real losses are the things we missed out on because we didn't take up life on the opportunity it gives us to help others.
Don't be ordinary; rather, choose to be extraordinary. Be a difference maker. Be a Statesman.
