so I was practicing my TED talk last week in my empty courtroom and I was
week in my empty courtroom and I was
week in my empty courtroom and I was really wound up and I was doing it for
really wound up and I was doing it for
really wound up and I was doing it for about 45 minutes and then through the
about 45 minutes and then through the
about 45 minutes and then through the door bursts this big hulking man and
door bursts this big hulking man and
door bursts this big hulking man and it’s a deputy sheriff and he’s looking
it’s a deputy sheriff and he’s looking
it’s a deputy sheriff and he’s looking around and he has his hand on his gun
around and he has his hand on his gun
around and he has his hand on his gun and I say to him deputy is there
and I say to him deputy is there
and I say to him deputy is there anything I can help you with and he said
anything I can help you with and he said
anything I can help you with and he said we just got a call that there’s a
we just got a call that there’s a
we just got a call that there’s a disturbance in here and I said
disturbance in here and I said
disturbance in here and I said disturbance I’m working on a speech and
disturbance I’m working on a speech and
disturbance I’m working on a speech and he looked at me sideways you know those
he looked at me sideways you know those
he looked at me sideways you know those skeptical looks that people give you and
skeptical looks that people give you and
skeptical looks that people give you and shook his head and walked out the door
shook his head and walked out the door
shook his head and walked out the door well if any of you find my talk
well if any of you find my talk
well if any of you find my talk disturbing I apologize and I would ask
disturbing I apologize and I would ask
disturbing I apologize and I would ask also if you do please don’t call the
also if you do please don’t call the
also if you do please don’t call the police on me and if you do I’m just
police on me and if you do I’m just
police on me and if you do I’m just asking for a ten-minute head start in
asking for a ten-minute head start in
asking for a ten-minute head start in 1954 Marlon Brando starred in a movie on
1954 Marlon Brando starred in a movie on
1954 Marlon Brando starred in a movie on the waterfront and he was a boxer and he
the waterfront and he was a boxer and he
the waterfront and he was a boxer and he was shamed and he was shamed because he
was shamed and he was shamed because he
was shamed and he was shamed because he threw fights for just a little bit of
threw fights for just a little bit of
threw fights for just a little bit of money and he regrets it as his life goes
money and he regrets it as his life goes
money and he regrets it as his life goes on and he talks to his brother later in
on and he talks to his brother later in
on and he talks to his brother later in the movie and he says I could have been
the movie and he says I could have been
the movie and he says I could have been somebody I could have been a contender
somebody I could have been a contender
somebody I could have been a contender well there are a lot of people that
well there are a lot of people that
well there are a lot of people that don’t have the capacity of being
don’t have the capacity of being
don’t have the capacity of being contenders all of you have that capacity
contenders all of you have that capacity
contenders all of you have that capacity all of you have the potential of being
all of you have the potential of being
all of you have the potential of being very very special people and I’ll talk
very very special people and I’ll talk
very very special people and I’ll talk with you in just a little bit about some
with you in just a little bit about some
with you in just a little bit about some of the tips that I’m going to give you
of the tips that I’m going to give you
of the tips that I’m going to give you that might help you on your journey
that might help you on your journey
that might help you on your journey I’ve studied special people and what
I’ve studied special people and what
I’ve studied special people and what makes them special all my adult life
makes them special all my adult life
makes them special all my adult life people like Fran Jabara and Harvey
people like Fran Jabara and Harvey
people like Fran Jabara and Harvey Jabara and Linwood Sexton and Mike James
Jabara and Linwood Sexton and Mike James
Jabara and Linwood Sexton and Mike James and Mike Kennedy and I’m not one of
and Mike Kennedy and I’m not one of
and Mike Kennedy and I’m not one of those people unfortunately but I have
those people unfortunately but I have
those people unfortunately but I have found that there are 22 traits that make
found that there are 22 traits that make
found that there are 22 traits that make people special we’ll talk about four of
people special we’ll talk about four of
people special we’ll talk about four of them this evening special people really
them this evening special people really
them this evening special people really care for other people
care for other people
care for other people tonyia my wife and I have twin sons
tonyia my wife and I have twin sons
tonyia my wife and I have twin sons Brock and Kaylie they went to college in
Brock and Kaylie they went to college in
Brock and Kaylie they went to college in Washington DC
Washington DC
Washington DC but they went to separate colleges it’s
but they went to separate colleges it’s
but they went to separate colleges it’s 2004 it’s time for them to graduate so
2004 it’s time for them to graduate so
2004 it’s time for them to graduate so we go back for the graduation at
we go back for the graduation at
we go back for the graduation at Georgetown there is an Honors
Georgetown there is an Honors
Georgetown there is an Honors Convocation that’s taking place on a
Convocation that’s taking place on a
Convocation that’s taking place on a Friday morning there are about 250 of us
Friday morning there are about 250 of us
Friday morning there are about 250 of us in attendance there were three speakers
in attendance there were three speakers
in attendance there were three speakers they were all good one was a professor
they were all good one was a professor
they were all good one was a professor one was a businessman that had gone to
one was a businessman that had gone to
one was a businessman that had gone to Georgetown and one was a student who was
Georgetown and one was a student who was
Georgetown and one was a student who was going to go to work on Wall Street all
going to go to work on Wall Street all
going to go to work on Wall Street all the speeches were good because they were
the speeches were good because they were
the speeches were good because they were short the student gave by far the best
short the student gave by far the best
short the student gave by far the best speech he was motivational he was
speech he was motivational he was
speech he was motivational he was inspirational we leave the auditorium
inspirational we leave the auditorium
inspirational we leave the auditorium and were going to a reception we’re
and were going to a reception we’re
and were going to a reception we’re walking across a grassy area with a wide
walking across a grassy area with a wide
walking across a grassy area with a wide sidewalk and we hear a horn honk we look
sidewalk and we hear a horn honk we look
sidewalk and we hear a horn honk we look to the right and it is the
to the right and it is the
to the right and it is the groundskeepers and there are in their
groundskeepers and there are in their
groundskeepers and there are in their mid-40s and they’re perspiring because
mid-40s and they’re perspiring because
mid-40s and they’re perspiring because they’ve been working for several hours
they’ve been working for several hours
they’ve been working for several hours they get out of their vehicle they shout
they get out of their vehicle they shout
they get out of their vehicle they shout a name and wave we look to our left and
a name and wave we look to our left and
a name and wave we look to our left and it is the student speaker that they are
it is the student speaker that they are
it is the student speaker that they are waving at he waves at them they walked
waving at he waves at them they walked
waving at he waves at them they walked toward one another they embrace and they
toward one another they embrace and they
toward one another they embrace and they talk about how they’re going to miss one
talk about how they’re going to miss one
talk about how they’re going to miss one another they say their goodbyes they
another they say their goodbyes they
another they say their goodbyes they make one another feel important
make one another feel important
make one another feel important Gregg Marshall is a very successful
Gregg Marshall is a very successful
Gregg Marshall is a very successful basketball coach at Wichita State were
basketball coach at Wichita State were
basketball coach at Wichita State were lucky to have him
lucky to have him
lucky to have him his first head coaching job was at
his first head coaching job was at
his first head coaching job was at Winthrop in 1998-99 Winthrop is picked
Winthrop in 1998-99 Winthrop is picked
Winthrop in 1998-99 Winthrop is picked to finish last in the conference they
to finish last in the conference they
to finish last in the conference they just didn’t know about Gregg Marshall at
just didn’t know about Gregg Marshall at
just didn’t know about Gregg Marshall at that time and about halfway through the
that time and about halfway through the
that time and about halfway through the season the team adopts this young boy
season the team adopts this young boy
season the team adopts this young boy who’s handicapped he’s confined to a
who’s handicapped he’s confined to a
who’s handicapped he’s confined to a wheelchair and he becomes part of the
wheelchair and he becomes part of the
wheelchair and he becomes part of the team
team
team Gregg Marshalls team Winthrop wins the
Gregg Marshalls team Winthrop wins the
Gregg Marshalls team Winthrop wins the Big South Conference but they have to
Big South Conference but they have to
Big South Conference but they have to win the postseason tournament to go to
win the postseason tournament to go to
win the postseason tournament to go to the NCAA tournament they make it to the
the NCAA tournament they make it to the
the NCAA tournament they make it to the championship game it’s the biggest game
championship game it’s the biggest game
championship game it’s the biggest game in Gregg Marshalls life up to that point
in Gregg Marshalls life up to that point
in Gregg Marshalls life up to that point it is the biggest game in the history of
it is the biggest game in the history of
it is the biggest game in the history of Winthrop basketball because they have a
Winthrop basketball because they have a
Winthrop basketball because they have a chance to go to their first NCAA
chance to go to their first NCAA
chance to go to their first NCAA tournament the team rushes off the floor
tournament the team rushes off the floor
tournament the team rushes off the floor at halftime it’s a tightly contested
at halftime it’s a tightly contested
at halftime it’s a tightly contested game with Radford coach Marshall walks
game with Radford coach Marshall walks
game with Radford coach Marshall walks off behind them deep in thought he’s
off behind them deep in thought he’s
off behind them deep in thought he’s contemplating
contemplating
contemplating his halftime talk he stops at midcourt
his halftime talk he stops at midcourt
his halftime talk he stops at midcourt he turns around and walks back to this
he turns around and walks back to this
he turns around and walks back to this young boy in the wheelchair and says to
young boy in the wheelchair and says to
young boy in the wheelchair and says to him what are you waiting for we need you
him what are you waiting for we need you
him what are you waiting for we need you in the locker room at this most
in the locker room at this most
in the locker room at this most significant point in his life he is
significant point in his life he is
significant point in his life he is showing someone else that he really
showing someone else that he really
showing someone else that he really cares special people are good listeners
cares special people are good listeners
cares special people are good listeners and you have to be a good listener so I
and you have to be a good listener so I
and you have to be a good listener so I do criminal work as a judge early in the
do criminal work as a judge early in the
do criminal work as a judge early in the morning and early in the afternoon there
morning and early in the afternoon there
morning and early in the afternoon there was a period of about two and a half
was a period of about two and a half
was a period of about two and a half months when we had far too many young
months when we had far too many young
months when we had far too many young people appearing in front of me people
people appearing in front of me people
people appearing in front of me people 1920-21 that had done some really bad
1920-21 that had done some really bad
1920-21 that had done some really bad things some of them had done some
things some of them had done some
things some of them had done some horrific things and I asked them who was
horrific things and I asked them who was
horrific things and I asked them who was your mentor when you were growing up who
your mentor when you were growing up who
your mentor when you were growing up who helped you make the right decisions who
helped you make the right decisions who
helped you make the right decisions who did you talk to and who would listen to
did you talk to and who would listen to
did you talk to and who would listen to you when you were trying to find your
you when you were trying to find your
you when you were trying to find your way and almost all of them said nobody
way and almost all of them said nobody
way and almost all of them said nobody and that’s one of the reasons that some
and that’s one of the reasons that some
and that’s one of the reasons that some of the young people are in trouble
of the young people are in trouble
of the young people are in trouble because nobody will listen to them
because nobody will listen to them
because nobody will listen to them my first assignment as a judge was in
my first assignment as a judge was in
my first assignment as a judge was in family law and that’s pretty acrimonious
family law and that’s pretty acrimonious
family law and that’s pretty acrimonious stuff there were four of us judges in
stuff there were four of us judges in
stuff there were four of us judges in family law court and we each had about
family law court and we each had about
family law court and we each had about 800 cases in one year usually child
800 cases in one year usually child
800 cases in one year usually child custody usually child support I got to
custody usually child support I got to
custody usually child support I got to the point where I started to interview a
the point where I started to interview a
the point where I started to interview a lot of these kids their ages 7 to 17 and
lot of these kids their ages 7 to 17 and
lot of these kids their ages 7 to 17 and I would interview them in my courtroom
I would interview them in my courtroom
I would interview them in my courtroom just the child and me one-on-one my
just the child and me one-on-one my
just the child and me one-on-one my assistant Mary was in the back of the
assistant Mary was in the back of the
assistant Mary was in the back of the room I’d sit on the same side of the
room I’d sit on the same side of the
room I’d sit on the same side of the table as they were on I’d be in my
table as they were on I’d be in my
table as they were on I’d be in my street clothes the interviews would last
street clothes the interviews would last
street clothes the interviews would last about 25 minutes I would ask them about
about 25 minutes I would ask them about
about 25 minutes I would ask them about their family I would ask them about
their family I would ask them about
their family I would ask them about their friends and their schooling and
their friends and their schooling and
their friends and their schooling and their hobbies I’d never asked them who
their hobbies I’d never asked them who
their hobbies I’d never asked them who they wanted to live with and I never
they wanted to live with and I never
they wanted to live with and I never allowed them to tell me that when we got
allowed them to tell me that when we got
allowed them to tell me that when we got to the end of the interview I would say
to the end of the interview I would say
to the end of the interview I would say to them how could your life be better
to them how could your life be better
to them how could your life be better and every one of the young kids said the
and every one of the young kids said the
and every one of the young kids said the same thing except one the one exception
same thing except one the one exception
same thing except one the one exception said my life could be better if I could
said my life could be better if I could
said my life could be better if I could go to Disneyland I said what my life
go to Disneyland I said what my life
go to Disneyland I said what my life could be better if I could go to
could be better if I could go to
could be better if I could go to Disneyland also
Disneyland also
Disneyland also all of the other kids said my life would
all of the other kids said my life would
all of the other kids said my life would be better if my mom and dad would stop
be better if my mom and dad would stop
be better if my mom and dad would stop being so mad at each other all the time
being so mad at each other all the time
being so mad at each other all the time if my parents would stop be stop being
if my parents would stop be stop being
if my parents would stop be stop being so angry at each other all the time and
so angry at each other all the time and
so angry at each other all the time and I would say did you talk to them about
I would say did you talk to them about
I would say did you talk to them about it and each one of those kids said yes
it and each one of those kids said yes
it and each one of those kids said yes but they wouldn’t listen they didn’t
but they wouldn’t listen they didn’t
but they wouldn’t listen they didn’t care
care
care well special people listen special
well special people listen special
well special people listen special people express in appreciation to others
people express in appreciation to others
people express in appreciation to others I teach a course out here at Wichita
I teach a course out here at Wichita
I teach a course out here at Wichita State is entrepreneurship just this week
State is entrepreneurship just this week
State is entrepreneurship just this week we’re dealing with ethics
we’re dealing with ethics
we’re dealing with ethics I think ethics comes from the heart more
I think ethics comes from the heart more
I think ethics comes from the heart more than it comes from the book I had an
than it comes from the book I had an
than it comes from the book I had an assignment that I handed out on Monday
assignment that I handed out on Monday
assignment that I handed out on Monday and the assignment is very simple
and the assignment is very simple
and the assignment is very simple and it deals with ethics I have a bonus
and it deals with ethics I have a bonus
and it deals with ethics I have a bonus question on the bottom of the assignment
question on the bottom of the assignment
question on the bottom of the assignment for five points talk to somebody and
for five points talk to somebody and
for five points talk to somebody and tell them how much you appreciate them
tell them how much you appreciate them
tell them how much you appreciate them tell them how much they mean to you and
tell them how much they mean to you and
tell them how much they mean to you and if you did that by Friday at five
if you did that by Friday at five
if you did that by Friday at five o’clock just right yes at the bottom of
o’clock just right yes at the bottom of
o’clock just right yes at the bottom of this page if you didn’t do it right no
this page if you didn’t do it right no
this page if you didn’t do it right no or don’t write anything and I said the
or don’t write anything and I said the
or don’t write anything and I said the ethics part of it is this if you write
ethics part of it is this if you write
ethics part of it is this if you write yes and you didn’t call somebody you
yes and you didn’t call somebody you
yes and you didn’t call somebody you have some serious soul-searching to do
have some serious soul-searching to do
have some serious soul-searching to do you have to correct your moral compass
you have to correct your moral compass
you have to correct your moral compass but the thing that is surprising to me
but the thing that is surprising to me
but the thing that is surprising to me five easy points over 50% of the
five easy points over 50% of the
five easy points over 50% of the students will not call someone and will
students will not call someone and will
students will not call someone and will not tell them how much they appreciate
not tell them how much they appreciate
not tell them how much they appreciate them it’s just a very difficult thing to
them it’s just a very difficult thing to
them it’s just a very difficult thing to do
do
do Tim McGuigan and I coached youth sports
Tim McGuigan and I coached youth sports
Tim McGuigan and I coached youth sports for 11 years the first sport that we
for 11 years the first sport that we
for 11 years the first sport that we coached was t-ball you know what t-ball
coached was t-ball you know what t-ball
coached was t-ball you know what t-ball is it’s like baseball only you hit it
is it’s like baseball only you hit it
is it’s like baseball only you hit it off a tee you don’t hit it off a pitcher
off a tee you don’t hit it off a pitcher
off a tee you don’t hit it off a pitcher and you have three swings to hit it fair
and you have three swings to hit it fair
and you have three swings to hit it fair it’s for little kids and we were
it’s for little kids and we were
it’s for little kids and we were coaching kindergarteners and first
coaching kindergarteners and first
coaching kindergarteners and first graders boys and girls now in hitting
graders boys and girls now in hitting
graders boys and girls now in hitting the ball off the tee you have to hit
the ball off the tee you have to hit
the ball off the tee you have to hit from up above we had a lot of little
from up above we had a lot of little
from up above we had a lot of little kids and that bat was just a little bit
kids and that bat was just a little bit
kids and that bat was just a little bit too heavy for them one of the kids on
too heavy for them one of the kids on
too heavy for them one of the kids on our team a little tyke was Katie O’Grady
our team a little tyke was Katie O’Grady
our team a little tyke was Katie O’Grady is that a terrific name or what and
is that a terrific name or what and
is that a terrific name or what and Katie was tiny so she comes up for the
Katie was tiny so she comes up for the
Katie was tiny so she comes up for the first time in the first game and the bat
first time in the first game and the bat
first time in the first game and the bat head is dropped she swings up there’s no
head is dropped she swings up there’s no
head is dropped she swings up there’s no way you hit the ball coming up from
way you hit the ball coming up from
way you hit the ball coming up from underneath
underneath
underneath fit so she’s out in three swings and
fit so she’s out in three swings and
fit so she’s out in three swings and that’s okay she’s fine with it she comes
that’s okay she’s fine with it she comes
that’s okay she’s fine with it she comes up the second time and the bad head
up the second time and the bad head
up the second time and the bad head drops and she swings up and she’s out in
drops and she swings up and she’s out in
drops and she swings up and she’s out in three swings and now there’s a little
three swings and now there’s a little
three swings and now there’s a little tear running down her cheek we have a
tear running down her cheek we have a
tear running down her cheek we have a practice the next Tuesday and at the
practice the next Tuesday and at the
practice the next Tuesday and at the practice Tim and I hold the bat heads up
practice Tim and I hold the bat heads up
practice Tim and I hold the bat heads up for the kids that are smaller and then
for the kids that are smaller and then
for the kids that are smaller and then they swing down and they can hit the
they swing down and they can hit the
they swing down and they can hit the ball and Katie feels really great
ball and Katie feels really great
ball and Katie feels really great because we’ve been holding her bat head
because we’ve been holding her bat head
because we’ve been holding her bat head up she comes up the next game the first
up she comes up the next game the first
up she comes up the next game the first time because kids only about twice in
time because kids only about twice in
time because kids only about twice in these games and the bat head is up and
these games and the bat head is up and
these games and the bat head is up and she looks strong and she looks good and
she looks strong and she looks good and
she looks strong and she looks good and the bat head starts to drop down and all
the bat head starts to drop down and all
the bat head starts to drop down and all of a sudden she’s hitting from
of a sudden she’s hitting from
of a sudden she’s hitting from underneath again and she strikes out and
underneath again and she strikes out and
underneath again and she strikes out and now she’s almost inconsolable as she
now she’s almost inconsolable as she
now she’s almost inconsolable as she goes to the bench when she comes up the
goes to the bench when she comes up the
goes to the bench when she comes up the second time I say to the umpire who’s a
second time I say to the umpire who’s a
second time I say to the umpire who’s a high school kid do you mind if we hold
high school kid do you mind if we hold
high school kid do you mind if we hold Katie’s bat head up when she hits I mean
Katie’s bat head up when she hits I mean
Katie’s bat head up when she hits I mean this is kindergarteners and first
this is kindergarteners and first
this is kindergarteners and first graders I mean what is he going to say
graders I mean what is he going to say
graders I mean what is he going to say and he said that’s fine so I hold
and he said that’s fine so I hold
and he said that’s fine so I hold Katie’s bat head up she swings from
Katie’s bat head up she swings from
Katie’s bat head up she swings from above and hits the ball fair she is the
above and hits the ball fair she is the
above and hits the ball fair she is the fastest runner on our team and in a
fastest runner on our team and in a
fastest runner on our team and in a cloud of dust she’s running down to
cloud of dust she’s running down to
cloud of dust she’s running down to first base all the parents are screaming
first base all the parents are screaming
first base all the parents are screaming for her I’m back at home plate screaming
for her I’m back at home plate screaming
for her I’m back at home plate screaming go Katie go Tim McGuigan is right next
go Katie go Tim McGuigan is right next
go Katie go Tim McGuigan is right next to me cheering for Katie she jumps on
to me cheering for Katie she jumps on
to me cheering for Katie she jumps on first base she turns back to face me at
first base she turns back to face me at
first base she turns back to face me at home plate and she is ecstatic she’s so
home plate and she is ecstatic she’s so
home plate and she is ecstatic she’s so happy and just as fast as she had run to
happy and just as fast as she had run to
happy and just as fast as she had run to first base
first base
first base here she comes running back to home
here she comes running back to home
here she comes running back to home plate and I’m thinking oh my heavens
plate and I’m thinking oh my heavens
plate and I’m thinking oh my heavens Katie I didn’t tell you what to do when
Katie I didn’t tell you what to do when
Katie I didn’t tell you what to do when you got to first base and when she
you got to first base and when she
you got to first base and when she finally gets back to me at home plate
finally gets back to me at home plate
finally gets back to me at home plate she grabs me around my leg looks up at
she grabs me around my leg looks up at
she grabs me around my leg looks up at me and says thank you and she did the
me and says thank you and she did the
me and says thank you and she did the same thing for Tim and that expression
same thing for Tim and that expression
same thing for Tim and that expression of appreciation is my fondest sports
of appreciation is my fondest sports
of appreciation is my fondest sports memory to this very day
memory to this very day
memory to this very day also special people are dreamers they
also special people are dreamers they
also special people are dreamers they dream deeply and they work hard to
dream deeply and they work hard to
dream deeply and they work hard to realize their dreams there was a young
realize their dreams there was a young
realize their dreams there was a young boy in which
boy in which
boy in which in middle school and we know him in
in middle school and we know him in
in middle school and we know him in middle school he decided he want to
middle school he decided he want to
middle school he decided he want to wanted to work for the Justice
wanted to work for the Justice
wanted to work for the Justice Department of the FBI so he goes to
Department of the FBI so he goes to
Department of the FBI so he goes to college in Washington DC the first week
college in Washington DC the first week
college in Washington DC the first week he is there he gets an appointment with
he is there he gets an appointment with
he is there he gets an appointment with the Justice Department in the FBI and
the Justice Department in the FBI and
the Justice Department in the FBI and they tell him you should major in
they tell him you should major in
they tell him you should major in accounting because there’s so much
accounting because there’s so much
accounting because there’s so much white-collar crime and that would give
white-collar crime and that would give
white-collar crime and that would give him the best chance so he didn’t
him the best chance so he didn’t
him the best chance so he didn’t particularly care for accounting but he
particularly care for accounting but he
particularly care for accounting but he majored in it and graduated number one
majored in it and graduated number one
majored in it and graduated number one in his class in accounting they told him
in his class in accounting they told him
in his class in accounting they told him he should study abroad so his junior
he should study abroad so his junior
he should study abroad so his junior year he studied in Turkey and he learned
year he studied in Turkey and he learned
year he studied in Turkey and he learned to speak Turkish when he graduates they
to speak Turkish when he graduates they
to speak Turkish when he graduates they said now you need some familiarity with
said now you need some familiarity with
said now you need some familiarity with the Middle East
the Middle East
the Middle East so he accepted a scholarship at Oxford
so he accepted a scholarship at Oxford
so he accepted a scholarship at Oxford and got a master’s degree in Middle
and got a master’s degree in Middle
and got a master’s degree in Middle Eastern affairs and studied Arabic he
Eastern affairs and studied Arabic he
Eastern affairs and studied Arabic he worked for the government for two years
worked for the government for two years
worked for the government for two years then went to law school because it would
then went to law school because it would
then went to law school because it would give him a better opportunity to get the
give him a better opportunity to get the
give him a better opportunity to get the job that he wanted and now he has that
job that he wanted and now he has that
job that he wanted and now he has that job that he dreamed about when he was 15
job that he dreamed about when he was 15
job that he dreamed about when he was 15 years old almost 15 years ago he was a
years old almost 15 years ago he was a
years old almost 15 years ago he was a dreamer and he worked hard on his dream
dreamer and he worked hard on his dream
dreamer and he worked hard on his dream I was on a scholarship committee for
I was on a scholarship committee for
I was on a scholarship committee for many years at Wichita State and they
many years at Wichita State and they
many years at Wichita State and they give pretty substantial scholarships for
give pretty substantial scholarships for
give pretty substantial scholarships for all of you out there and one of the
all of you out there and one of the
all of you out there and one of the people that we interviewed and there
people that we interviewed and there
people that we interviewed and there were five of us on the committee was a
were five of us on the committee was a
were five of us on the committee was a girl named Anna and she was dynamite she
girl named Anna and she was dynamite she
girl named Anna and she was dynamite she had credentials off the chart and she
had credentials off the chart and she
had credentials off the chart and she was a senior in Industrial Engineering
was a senior in Industrial Engineering
was a senior in Industrial Engineering and we said to her Anna are there other
and we said to her Anna are there other
and we said to her Anna are there other engineers in your family and she said no
engineers in your family and she said no
engineers in your family and she said no as a matter of fact I’m the first
as a matter of fact I’m the first
as a matter of fact I’m the first engineer in my entire family history and
engineer in my entire family history and
engineer in my entire family history and we said my goodness congratulations and
we said my goodness congratulations and
we said my goodness congratulations and then she said as a matter of fact I am
then she said as a matter of fact I am
then she said as a matter of fact I am the first one in my entire family
the first one in my entire family
the first one in my entire family history that will have graduated from
history that will have graduated from
history that will have graduated from college and we said that’s remarkable
college and we said that’s remarkable
college and we said that’s remarkable and then she said as a matter of fact I
and then she said as a matter of fact I
and then she said as a matter of fact I am one of very few in my entire family
am one of very few in my entire family
am one of very few in my entire family history that ever graduated from high
history that ever graduated from high
history that ever graduated from high school and we said that’s how does that
school and we said that’s how does that
school and we said that’s how does that happen
happen
happen and she said my grandmother used to
and she said my grandmother used to
and she said my grandmother used to visit us every year from Mexico and she
visit us every year from Mexico and she
visit us every year from Mexico and she would say to me Anna you need to go to
would say to me Anna you need to go to
would say to me Anna you need to go to college and I would say to her grandma I
college and I would say to her grandma I
college and I would say to her grandma I don’t want to go to college I just want
don’t want to go to college I just want
don’t want to go to college I just want to work here and live here and be around
to work here and live here and be around
to work here and live here and be around my fam
my fam
my fam friends and my grandma would say Anna
friends and my grandma would say Anna
friends and my grandma would say Anna you have to go to college not just for
you have to go to college not just for
you have to go to college not just for yourself but for your kids and your
yourself but for your kids and your
yourself but for your kids and your grandkids and your cousins and nieces
grandkids and your cousins and nieces
grandkids and your cousins and nieces and nephews and their kids for all of us
and nephews and their kids for all of us
and nephews and their kids for all of us you have to go to college
you have to go to college
you have to go to college to show us that we can do it so Anna
to show us that we can do it so Anna
to show us that we can do it so Anna says my grandmother’s dream became my
says my grandmother’s dream became my
says my grandmother’s dream became my dream and it became my parent’s dream
dream and it became my parent’s dream
dream and it became my parent’s dream and my brother’s dream and my dad and my
and my brother’s dream and my dad and my
and my brother’s dream and my dad and my brothers worked extra jobs in extra
brothers worked extra jobs in extra
brothers worked extra jobs in extra hours so that I wouldn’t have to work I
hours so that I wouldn’t have to work I
hours so that I wouldn’t have to work I could study and then they sent me extra
could study and then they sent me extra
could study and then they sent me extra money so I could get through school and
money so I could get through school and
money so I could get through school and I will tell you Anna graduated near the
I will tell you Anna graduated near the
I will tell you Anna graduated near the top of her class and she is now a
top of her class and she is now a
top of her class and she is now a professor in engineering at Wichita
professor in engineering at Wichita
professor in engineering at Wichita State University because the dream of
State University because the dream of
State University because the dream of the entire family
the entire family
the entire family required them to work together and they
required them to work together and they
required them to work together and they did that Gregg Marshall is a tremendous
did that Gregg Marshall is a tremendous
did that Gregg Marshall is a tremendous basketball coach at Wichita State and
basketball coach at Wichita State and
basketball coach at Wichita State and he’s the best I think in a long line of
he’s the best I think in a long line of
he’s the best I think in a long line of really good coaches he is so good
really good coaches he is so good
really good coaches he is so good because he is Gregg Marshall he is good
because he is Gregg Marshall he is good
because he is Gregg Marshall he is good because he has had assistant coaches and
because he has had assistant coaches and
because he has had assistant coaches and he is good because he has had tremendous
he is good because he has had tremendous
he is good because he has had tremendous players that are of high character and
players that are of high character and
players that are of high character and good moral values one particular group
good moral values one particular group
good moral values one particular group that everybody was so fond of included
that everybody was so fond of included
that everybody was so fond of included Ron Baker and Fred vanvleet they were
Ron Baker and Fred vanvleet they were
Ron Baker and Fred vanvleet they were all-americans and Evan Wessel and Takeo
all-americans and Evan Wessel and Takeo
all-americans and Evan Wessel and Takeo cotton what a group they were everybody
cotton what a group they were everybody
cotton what a group they were everybody revered them everybody loved them I
revered them everybody loved them I
revered them everybody loved them I helped broadcast the basketball games
helped broadcast the basketball games
helped broadcast the basketball games for many years with Mike Kennedy and Bob
for many years with Mike Kennedy and Bob
for many years with Mike Kennedy and Bob Ho I said at midcourt
Ho I said at midcourt
Ho I said at midcourt it’s the best seat in the house next to
it’s the best seat in the house next to
it’s the best seat in the house next to me was a sports reporter a writer next
me was a sports reporter a writer next
me was a sports reporter a writer next to him was a mr. watches and mr. watches
to him was a mr. watches and mr. watches
to him was a mr. watches and mr. watches is a fan but fans can buy tickets on
is a fan but fans can buy tickets on
is a fan but fans can buy tickets on press row next to mr. watches is his
press row next to mr. watches is his
press row next to mr. watches is his six-year-old daughter and she is in love
six-year-old daughter and she is in love
six-year-old daughter and she is in love with Ron Baker she wears a cheerleading
with Ron Baker she wears a cheerleading
with Ron Baker she wears a cheerleading uniform she has his number 31 in a
uniform she has his number 31 in a
uniform she has his number 31 in a washable tattoo on her face and she
washable tattoo on her face and she
washable tattoo on her face and she comes to every game every time Ron
comes to every game every time Ron
comes to every game every time Ron Baker’s name is mentioned she jumps up
Baker’s name is mentioned she jumps up
Baker’s name is mentioned she jumps up wildly and cheers every time Ron Baker
wildly and cheers every time Ron Baker
wildly and cheers every time Ron Baker scores a basket she shouts Ron Baker Ron
scores a basket she shouts Ron Baker Ron
scores a basket she shouts Ron Baker Ron Baker and turns to the crowd and shouts
Baker and turns to the crowd and shouts
Baker and turns to the crowd and shouts his name every time Ron Baker gets her
his name every time Ron Baker gets her
his name every time Ron Baker gets her rebound she runs down the road screaming
rebound she runs down the road screaming
rebound she runs down the road screaming Ron Baker Ron Baker there was a game
Ron Baker Ron Baker there was a game
Ron Baker Ron Baker there was a game when the ball was coming out of bounds
when the ball was coming out of bounds
when the ball was coming out of bounds in our direction I get up because here
in our direction I get up because here
in our direction I get up because here comes Ron Baker and he’s going to try to
comes Ron Baker and he’s going to try to
comes Ron Baker and he’s going to try to save the ball and he gets airborne he’s
save the ball and he gets airborne he’s
save the ball and he gets airborne he’s parallel to the floor I moved back to
parallel to the floor I moved back to
parallel to the floor I moved back to try to protect him from falling into the
try to protect him from falling into the
try to protect him from falling into the seats
seats
seats I mean he’s our all-american for Pete
I mean he’s our all-american for Pete
I mean he’s our all-american for Pete sakes we want to save this guy the
sakes we want to save this guy the
sakes we want to save this guy the sports reporter next to me towers down
sports reporter next to me towers down
sports reporter next to me towers down in fear mr. watches gets up and he’s
in fear mr. watches gets up and he’s
in fear mr. watches gets up and he’s going to try to save Ron Baker also and
going to try to save Ron Baker also and
going to try to save Ron Baker also and then the little girl who’s been in love
then the little girl who’s been in love
then the little girl who’s been in love with Ron Baker sees him coming across
with Ron Baker sees him coming across
with Ron Baker sees him coming across the table she Sprint’s over to where
the table she Sprint’s over to where
the table she Sprint’s over to where he’s coming across and spreads her arms
he’s coming across and spreads her arms
he’s coming across and spreads her arms her dream is about to come true you know
her dream is about to come true you know
her dream is about to come true you know there are many defining moments out
there are many defining moments out
there are many defining moments out there for us every day if you look for
there for us every day if you look for
there for us every day if you look for them you will find them little things
them you will find them little things
them you will find them little things like working extra hard on a project and
like working extra hard on a project and
like working extra hard on a project and helping someone else with theirs
helping someone else with theirs
helping someone else with theirs stopping it a kool-aid stand and
stopping it a kool-aid stand and
stopping it a kool-aid stand and complimenting the little entrepreneurs
complimenting the little entrepreneurs
complimenting the little entrepreneurs and and giving them some extra money
and and giving them some extra money
and and giving them some extra money telling your parents that you love them
telling your parents that you love them
telling your parents that you love them Emmet’s you appreciate them raising your
Emmet’s you appreciate them raising your
Emmet’s you appreciate them raising your children to be your heroes every day is
children to be your heroes every day is
children to be your heroes every day is not going to be a masterpiece but every
not going to be a masterpiece but every
not going to be a masterpiece but every day can be meaningful and if you do some
day can be meaningful and if you do some
day can be meaningful and if you do some of the things that we talked about today
of the things that we talked about today
of the things that we talked about today and do them regularly and if you help
and do them regularly and if you help
and do them regularly and if you help people feel a little bit more special
people feel a little bit more special
people feel a little bit more special you have become a little more special
you have become a little more special
you have become a little more special yourself thank you good luck there’s a
yourself thank you good luck there’s a
yourself thank you good luck there’s a lot of happiness and there’s a lot of
lot of happiness and there’s a lot of
lot of happiness and there’s a lot of success out there waiting and I hope you
success out there waiting and I hope you
success out there waiting and I hope you find it thank
”
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