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The Measure of Greatness
by McMurry
The Measure of
nborn in every member of the human species is a vision of greatness, a desire to be the best, and a dream of winning the gold medal. Do we all achieve greatness? Of course not—if we measure according to society’s standards. But true greatness is not only associated with individuals who score the winning goal or who cross the finish line first. Greatness can also be identified with outstanding displays of personal courage, self-sacrifice, team effort, and perseverance. In other words, in the race called life, we measure greatness by how the race is run as much as the final outcome.
In the world of athletic competition, there exist countless examples of a “race well run.” Kerri Strug, gymnast for Team USA in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, suffered a leg injury during the vault competition and
was faced with a monumental decision. she could sit out her final jump and avoid worse injury that might eliminate her from individual competition the following week. Or, she could put pain aside as well as her personal dreams, and sacrifice all for her team. With flawless skill and unwavering concentration, she gave the performance of her life. Her near-perfect effort gave team UsA the gold medal in the women’s team gymnastics competition—for the first time in Olympic history. sacrificing personal goals for one’s team is the stuff that heroes are made of, and in the pages ahead, you will read of other individuals whose stories epitomize the same courage and personal sacrifice that leads to great accomplishment. Another sports icon, Kurt Warner, was considered a “nobody” before his 1999 season when he eventually led the st. Louis rams to a super Bowl championship. He had played only one year of college football at a small college, but he dreamed of playing in the NFL. He never gave up his dream, even while living with his parents and working in a hometown grocery store. His stint in arena football and then european football only served to deepen his resolve. The rams organization decided to take a chance on this unknown, and his chance at stardom was made possible after the starting quarterback suffered an injury. In the end, 1999 was a year in which Warner generated the second-finest statistical season by a quarterback in NFL history. His perseverance and belief in himself is a trait shared by many achievers, including those showcased in this issue—individuals who refused to give up in the face of adversity and whose strength of will and purpose propelled them onward and upward. In the annals of track and field, Derek redmond will always be remembered for his courageous performance in the 1996 Olympics in Barcelona, spain. In the middle of his 400 meter semi-final race, he fell to the ground in a crumpled heap. With excruciating pain caused by a torn hamstring, he refused to quit. He rose and began to hobble agonizingly to the finish line. Within moments, redmond’s father jumped out of the stands and made his way to the track. He draped his arm around his son and walked with him to the finish line. Through courage, and a remarkable display of teamwork, he inspired millions. As you read the stories in this publication, you will sense the same courage and applaud the selflessness and teamwork of a campus community who has rallied around their own. Whether in athletic competition, artistic expression, scientific discovery, or medical research, we applaud the “common runner” for grand achievement. But what inspires us and empowers us is their “uncommon race.” Booker t. Washington once said, “success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed…” As you read the pages of this Chieftain, our desire is that you will be inspired to greater heights and will be reminded that life’s hurdles can either cause us to fall, or they can most certainly provide us with the opportunity to soar.
