A Colleague....A Friend
For the second time in two years, I find myself writing about football in our soccer blog. The kind of football that is played with an oval ball and, mostly, using one's hands.
The first time it was last year, right after the first Monon Bell game I ever saw as a spectator and member of the Wabash Athletic Staff. I had to describe what I had witnessed during the contest between the two schools and the excitement that "possessed" the thirteen thousand spectators who attended the event, (you can read the blog "Monon Bell...a Futbol Perspective," for more about a soccer take on the day).
This time I want to write about Coach Creighton. As most of us already know, Chris is leaving Wabash for the head coaching job at Drake University, a Div. I AA-non scholarship program in Des Moines, Iowa. As most people who don't know Chris may think, the Div. I call is what must have motivated Chris to take the job and say Goodbye to the Little Giants. Nothing can be further from the truth.
Chris Creighton and his family are devoted Christians and therefore believe that God is the architect behind this new work opportunity that came knocking at their door. Chris didn't look for it; Chris didn't contemplate leaving Wabash. God had other ideas though and the Creightons believe that the Drake opportunity is part of the Lord's master plan.
I admire Chris, and even though our theological views are as far as they can be, I can't help but feel a tremendous amount of respect, confidence, and trust in a man with such an intense and passionate sense of his faith and beliefs.
I met Chris in January 2006, a few days after I took over the reigns as the soccer coach, replacing interim coach Vernon Mummert, our Athletic Director, who coached the team in the fall of 2005, after the previous coach, George Perry, had left the school. I knew Chris and George had a very nice and close relationship and I didn't know how the new soccer coach was going to be received, especially after a semi-turbulent soccer year.
Chris, and everyone else for that matter, was very helpful, professional, and courteous from the very beginning. He gave me some important advice and recommendations, but mostly he always, I mean always, found the time to listen to my passionate arguments about recruiting, commitment, dedication, hard-work ethics, etc. I knew then, that the same matters had been his battle when he had started at Wabash in 2000. And because of that, he had the wisdom to give me some guidance during my first few months on the job.
In the summer of 2006, I also found out that Chris was a soccer fan and a former soccer player in High School and Club, until the glitter and fame of being a Friday Night Quarterback pushed him to football in his Junior year. From then, as they say, it's all history, football history.
We spoke about soccer many times (the World Cup in Germany was going on), probably more than he really cared for, and a little football, probably less than what he would have liked to, and this is one of the signs of a good man who can equally listen and make his interlocutor feel important as well as administer advice or deliver inspirational speeches.
Chris's words of encouragement and support have always helped me to endure the growing pains that the soccer program has experienced during the last two seasons. And even though, I am definitely no rookie in the sport of soccer, where I played and coached for more than forty years, I surely was, and still am, new in negotiating the different facets of managing the Wabash soccer program. I was glad to see that even though there are many different ways in managing a varsity program, the core of Chris's coaching style was very similar to mine. Integrity, dedication, pride, passion, hard work, and respect are, after all, the core of anything in life, anything that is worthwhile going after and obtaining.
Nevertheless, one thing is knowing what it takes, and another thing is to be able to put to work the message beyond inspirational and motivating "philosophy." Chris did that at Wabash, and much more. Aside from the impressive numbers and awards that his football program has been able to amass, I would like to point out the sense of belonging and commitment to the football team that his players have shown to possess to me and other "bystanders" throughout the school calendar and beyond that as well.
I am not ashamed to admit that I would love to get the soccer program to model itself after the football one. It would be a tremendous achievement and a tribute to Chris the day that the soccer program at Wabash positioned itself at the same high standards of the football program. That's my quest for the next three years and a pledge to Chris and the example he set. I am sure he will follow us and cheer for us every step of the way.
I am going to miss Chris and his friendship. and even though we never had the opportunity to socialize outside the walls of our Athletic Dept., mainly because I don't "live" in Crawfordsville with my wife Marcela, I like to think that the four of us, Chris and his wife Heather, my better half and myself, could have been very good friends. Friendship however, it's just a state of mind. It doesn't require close proximity and/or social interaction to feel for someone else. I am proud of Chris's friendship and I'll always cherish it.
Chris, I would like to wish you good luck, but you don't need any luck for your faith, passion, and love will do the job for you and your family. Just rest assured that I will follow your career from afar and cheer for your future success.
It's not a Goodbye, but ...un arrivederci!
Con amicizia,
Roberto
On December 4th, the Wabash soccer team gathered together to bring closure to our 2007 season and convey excitement for the 2008 campaign. Gathered in Trippett Hall's dining room, we welcomed players, coaches, parents, colleagues, and boosters to our annual end-of-the-season banquet. This year's dinner provided a venue for teammates to catch up with each other, individuals to express their thoughts on the season, and coaches to give thanks to all who supported us and fought with us throughout the 2007 season.
in coming years. To Coach Giannini, who constantly demands unrelenting passion and excellence from each player. To Mark Elizondo, our athletic trainer, who sacrificed much to be at every practice and game with us. To Tom Perkins, who was a constant support system for players and coaches alike. To all of our seniors, whom I mentioned, will be sorely missed. To the parents and families of our guys who act as encouraging life-coaches throughout their college journey. And lastly, to the Albrecht family who attended nearly every game (away games too) and provided us with an awesome photo album of the entire season.