Small Simple Steps

Our 2021/22 incoming freshmen class are in class, working out, and navigating a new stage of their life. We most likely will have 18 first year student/athletes lace up their shoes for our first practice on October 15th, and here are a few of them and their initial thoughts about Gustavus.

Success does not happen over night. Blake was once an undersized athlete without goals. He was cut from his 9th grade basketball team. Rather than completely giving up he channeled his energy towards becoming a baseball player. He found limited success until he took ownership in his development. He created a plan on an spreadsheet and completely committed himself to it. His limitations became his strengths until two arm injuries derailed him. He continued to believe in himself and after two years of rehab he recovered and not only can he now throw in the 90's but this past summer he was named MVP for the St. Cloud Rox, of the Northwoods League. This is a podcast of commitment and perseverance paying off and I have no doubt he will find success in all areas of his life!!

Will Howieson is only 28 years old but has packed many experiences into his life so far! He has graduated from college, taught and coached, graduated from law school and made time to travel to 40 states. One of his goals is to run one marathon in each of our 50 states in his lifetime. He is already at ten. 

Jeff Gullord is a high school classmate of mine. He is a retired teacher and coach and has currently run 98 marathons in his lifetime. He talks about how he set a goal to run 100 marathons back in the early 1980's, and despite a few injuries he has persevered and will accomplish his goal in 2021. He has run marathons in many states and qualified for the Boston Marathon several times. He has even run a few 50 mile races. His experiences have been amazing!

Long-time coach and friend Kraig Ulveling discusses five ways student/athletes gain life lessons that help them become prepared to face life challenges. 

Steve Rajewsky is a hometown Blue Earth Area grad and through hard work has become a highly successful track coach at the University of Michigan! He weighs in on George Floyd, who recently died in the hands of a police officer. As a result, our state and even our country has spun out of control. Steve talks about the importance of change and to not judge because of race.

Chris Vanderhyde (The Man) has won multiple state championships as a varsity basketball coach but his legacy he is creating has more to do with helping develop young people to become positive and successful people in life. Chris is insightful with the idea that each and everyday we create our legacy and it can be either positive or negative. 

Justin Degrood is the head assistant men's basketball coach at Gustavus College and I'm proud to say my friend.  In this podcast he gives us insight on how he bescame such a hard worker, his keys to building relationships with people, and how he approaches life as a fountain, not a drain. 

Allow yourself to be vulnerable. Failure is okay. We all will fail.

We can choose the be positive.