JonDMiller
Publisher/Founder
I received this email this morning from an Iowa football fan. Things like this happen regularly, they just don't go reported and Iowa doesn't go sending out press releases on such works:
Last June, we held a fundraiser in Iowa City to raise awareness and money for some extremely promising research on the treatment and possible cure of Rett Syndrome. (Rett Syndrome affects girls at a young age. There is no cure and very few treatment options.) My wife sent an email to the generic athletic department address listed on the website – notifying them of the event and making a general inquiry about the University’s participation in our event.
Chigozie Ejiasi called her and said the players would be on break, so they could only invite them to attend – it could not be a team event. So he posted something in the locker room saying where and when our event was taking place. While the 5k race was going on (in the rain), approximately 45 players showed up, unannounced, and signed autographs for over an hour (in the rain). We were completely overwhelmed by the genuine sincerity and good nature of all the players in attendance. Several players asked questions about the disease. Ricky Stanzi offered to help us pick up garbage after everyone left. It was a Saturday morning in June. They were on break. Did I mention it was raining? Ricky told us that a lot of players had gone home, otherwise more would have attended. It’s unbelievable. I still get choked-up every time I think about it.
Again, this stuff happens all of the time. Yet, some buy into any nasty rumor, and want to believe that half a football team is failing drug tests.
Do college kids make poor choices? No doubt. Some worse than others.
But do the vast majority of these kids make good choices? Yes. And do a lot of these players understand at a younger age than most of us the value and responsibility of giving back? Bet on it.
Last June, we held a fundraiser in Iowa City to raise awareness and money for some extremely promising research on the treatment and possible cure of Rett Syndrome. (Rett Syndrome affects girls at a young age. There is no cure and very few treatment options.) My wife sent an email to the generic athletic department address listed on the website – notifying them of the event and making a general inquiry about the University’s participation in our event.
Chigozie Ejiasi called her and said the players would be on break, so they could only invite them to attend – it could not be a team event. So he posted something in the locker room saying where and when our event was taking place. While the 5k race was going on (in the rain), approximately 45 players showed up, unannounced, and signed autographs for over an hour (in the rain). We were completely overwhelmed by the genuine sincerity and good nature of all the players in attendance. Several players asked questions about the disease. Ricky Stanzi offered to help us pick up garbage after everyone left. It was a Saturday morning in June. They were on break. Did I mention it was raining? Ricky told us that a lot of players had gone home, otherwise more would have attended. It’s unbelievable. I still get choked-up every time I think about it.
Again, this stuff happens all of the time. Yet, some buy into any nasty rumor, and want to believe that half a football team is failing drug tests.
Do college kids make poor choices? No doubt. Some worse than others.
But do the vast majority of these kids make good choices? Yes. And do a lot of these players understand at a younger age than most of us the value and responsibility of giving back? Bet on it.
