Last Friday evening I had the joy of being a guest at the 39th All Sports Association Trophy Awards Dinner in Fort Walton Beach. This event includes the presentation of the Wuerffel Trophy. It is given annually to the college football player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement. This year’s winner was Tulsa University quarterback Paul Smith.
 
Before the event I was privileged to have a few minutes to talk with the guest speaker. The ole ball coach Steve Spurrier was in town to honor his former player, Danny Wuerffel. I talked with him about his dad who was a Presbyterian pastor. Preachers’ kids always interest me. Coach Spurrier told me of the places his dad served and about his home going a few years ago. I got the sense he loved his father. Amen!
 
The former Heisman winner and current South Carolina coach’s speech outlined the traits of successful people. He said he got these from a former mentor in his early days as an assistant.  These are:
 
1.  Attitude-one should be positive and eliminate excuses
 
2.  Effort and courage
 
3.  Preparation-like a Boy Scout always be prepared physically and mentally
 
4.  Overcome adversity
 
5.  Ability not to get big-headed
 
6.  Love to compete.
 
The highlight of the evening for me was the recognition of Special Olympian Emmanuel Valentin. This multi-medal winner brought the crowd to its feet with his one sentence acceptance speech. The six items from Coach Spurrier’s speech were on display in this young man with the big smile. When he finished his slow reading of the prepared one sentence, he said, “The End.” For me it was the beginning of a new attitude. Anyone as blessed as I am should never complain again.

Posted on Tuesday, February 19th, 2008 at 10:50 am.
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