Big Man On Campus

True Story: Recently, when visiting my Alma Mater, Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois [1970], my host told me that she would meet me, later, in the “old Library”, the building that had been the Library when I attended Millikin. She noticed the look on my face, that sort of embarrassed bewilderment. I had to explain that in the four years that I attended Millikin I had NEVER gone to the Library, so, I didn’t know where it was THEN or NOW.

Going back to Millikin every spring for the Penguin in the Park 5K isn’t without it’s hazards. I’ve enjoyed being back on the campus where so much of my life got started, but it’s also forced me to confront the limits of my academic career. I was, to be honest, a musician much more than a student. I was in every musical organization that allowed trombones, and even sang in the college choir for a year. I loved being a musician. I wasn’t crazy about being a student.

Going back now, years after my musical career ended, and speaking to a class on sports management and being a part of the event means that the worst of my academic career has faded from the collective institutional memory [or the statute of limitations has passed]. I am judged less by what I was and more on what I’ve become. That’s a great feeling.

To go back, to give back, allows me to redefine my legacy. That’s important and something that I would strongly encourage everyone to do. My only form of recreation in those days was practicing. When I wasn’t practicing I was listening to music. When I wasn’t listening to music I was talking to someone about music. When I wasn’t practicing or listening or talking about music I was in a rehearsal or working a gig.

Saturday morning I’ll be standing at the starting line with a couple of hundred folks of all ages. I’ll be participating this year as a part of the 100 Days Challenge. And I’ll be proud that I’ve been able to share the joy of activity in a place that shaped my life.

Have a question for John? Write him.