As incoming first-year students filed past me into Gill Coliseum on a sunny September afternoon, I reminisced about my own official convocation over a decade before. After joking with someone the only times I have heard the word “convocation” used is with new college students and electing a new Pope, I had flashbacks of the moment they were in. Whether they were coming from high school or transferring, they were entering a new community, with new friends, new challenges and thus new opportunities. My own transition from a small town to a university with more people in the incoming class than my entire town is a perfect story to describe our next quarterly focus from October-December on personal development and how you should always be ready for your big moment.
“Miles, you’re going in”. My stomach lurched as the 120 pounds (soaking wet) high school freshman version of my self trotted out onto the field to finish the fourth quarter as one of our starting defensive backs had injured themselves on the previous play. I went in and we won the game! No, not really. The remaining minutes consisted of me running into and getting run over by guys 50 pounds heavier than me barreling full steam at me with gleaming eyes communicating “fresh meat” as I held onto dear life trying to tackle them.
I had a long way to go physically, but the coaches saw I had studied our playbook since I knew where to properly line up and so they trusted me to start the remainder of the season. That remaining season and part of the next we struggled to win games, but there was a clear sense of improvement. A large part of this was the installation of a new head coach named Doug Wilson. His focus on poise, confidence, and class had a permanent impact on how I approached preparation in athletics and life. His tenacity was contagious and attention to detail pushed me to work harder in the summer and develop as a leader. Fast forward two years from that first game I went in as a scrawny freshman and you could see the difference not only in myself but our overall team. We were playing the same opponent who consistently made the playoffs, had won multiple state championships and a team we had not beaten in well over a decade. With many hard hits to go around (I still remember how my helmet looked a different color afterward) and some heroics by my good buddy Alex Plascencia, we pulled out a victory for our team, our school, and our town.
Is this me reliving my glory days? Well yes, a little bit 😊, but it is also to focus on being ready for the big moment that is awaiting all of us. I still remember there being plays where I knew the ball was going to me and I didn’t want it because I didn’t feel ready; I hated that feeling. Simply put, this is fear and it is uncomfortable for me to admit I am afraid of anything, but the fact is we all wrestle with fears. Part of personal development is calling them out and overcoming them so we can be ready for the big moment that will have a positive impact on others in our sphere of influence. Often, it is other people who help us defeat our fears and with me it is no different. My words cannot do justice of how Coach Wilson positively impacted me as a youth and countless others in our rough around the edges, but good at its core town of Chiloquin. All I can say is as I walked into Oregon State University many years ago I was more ready for my big moments in college because teachers, parents and coaches like him had invested in my personal development and for that I am eternally grateful.
For this 3 month focus on personal development, I will be highlighting two causes that reflect the positive impact of two special individuals in my life. The first is Coach Doug Wilson through the Coach Wilson Memorial Scholarship, which goes to recent Chiloquin High School graduates with high potential pursuing a post-secondary education. The second is the Patrice Schwartz Memorial Scholarship, which goes to the winner of the Oregon State University Delta Upsilon Darling winner who displays a commitment to service and reflects the best qualities of a sorority woman. I will delve into more detail on Patrice and her impact on my personal development as a young fraternity guy in my November post so stay tuned.
Raise Awareness
- Who in your life has helped you wrestle with a personal fear or barrier in your personal development?
- Who have you helped wrestle with a personal fear or barrier in their personal development?
Raise Funds
- The Coach Wilson Memorial Scholarship fund is administered by Chiloquin High School staff with support from Alex Plascencia and myself. You can choose to mail me a check with “Chiloquin High School” in the “Pay to” field with “Coach Wilson Memorial Scholarship” in the memo, or if you feel comfortable you can Venmo, or PayPal me with “Coach Wilson Memorial Scholarship” in the memo and I will make sure it is deposited to the fund.
- The Patrice Schwartz Memorial Scholarship is administered by the Oregon State Chapter of Delta Upsilon with support from myself. Similarly, you can choose to mail me a check with “OSU Delta Upsilon Fraternity” in the “Pay to” field with “Patrice Schwartz Memorial Scholarship” in the memo field, or if you feel comfortable you can Venmo, or PayPal me with “Patrice Schwartz Memorial Scholarship” in the memo and I will make sure it is deposited to the fund.
- My mailing address: 2402 NW Van Buren Ave. Corvallis, OR 97330
As before, I will match up to $500 that is donated during this 3 month period.
Fundraiser Update
Thank you for all those that contributed to the strong finish to the July-September push focused on the dignity of work. Through your efforts, we were able to raise x$ for the organization TruthXVision!
Positive Thought Leads to Positive Action,
Miles
One Thought Away 
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