Undefeated Spirits
For the past 10 years, superstar Chuck Ealey (University of Toledo/Canadian Football League) has given back to his adopted community. Most are pretty surprised to learn that he isn’t actually from Toledo. He grew-up in the small southern Ohio town of Portsmouth and came north to get his bachelor’s degree and play quarterback for Coach Frank Lautebur in the late 1960s. The rest is history, or should I say it’s at least legend. Through his Chuck Ealey Undefeated Spirit Foundation, Mr. Ealey honors high school seniors whose choices, in sports and in their classrooms, exemplify an undefeated spirit.
You see, from Mr. Ealey’s first snap during his sophomore season, the University of Toledo Rockets football team never lost a game. Never. There were a few close ones, but 51 years ago that team hit a mark that may never be replicated. He still holds the NCAA record for leading his team to an unmatched 35-0 winning streak. Why is any of this relevant to the superintendent of Springfield Schools, you might ask? Before Friday, April 8, I was simply a fan of Chuck Ealey “the athlete.” On that day and continuing on through Sunday, April 10, I became an even greater fan of the man that Chuck Ealey has chosen to be. His whole story is chronicled in the book “The Stone Thrower,” written by his daughter, Jael. I can’t come close to doing it justice in this short column. What I can do, is tell you a little more about why this matters to me.
You see, two Springfield students were named as finalists in Mr. Ealey’s 2022 Undefeated Spirit Essay Contest. (There were students from more than 13 area high schools who entered this year). Seniors James Patrick Jordan (also attends Penta Career Center) and Blake Sell shared their personal stories of perseverance and Blake even received a scholarship to help him pursue his educational goals after he graduates from SHS in May. We read too often of professional athletes who are not good role models for kids. I wish they could all spend 10 minutes with Mr. Ealey like I did that Friday. Patrick wasn’t able to actually write his own essay–his mom, Jini, assisted him. Chuck knew this was a unique story–a story too special to simply place in a file with the other essays written by students that failed to reach the “final five.”
He knew it because, just like all he has dealt with throughout his storied life, it’s not “just a story.” It’s Patrick’s life. That’s why he reached out to the district and asked for the opportunity to meet him. You see, Patrick is a Special Olympian and his story of triumph over adversity deserved something a little different. Mr. Ealey felt it deserved a one-on-one with him and his wife, Sherri. The Ealeys live in Canada and return to their adopted hometown of Toledo several times each year, and always to preside over the Undefeated Spirit Foundation’s awards programs.
I got to witness Patrick’s surprise in learning that Mr. Ealey came to Springfield to meet him. I also got to attend the high school awards program at the ProMedica Steam Plant in downtown Toledo and watched as Blake learned that the words he had chosen to write and enter into Mr. Ealey’s contest earned him a college scholarship. I witnessed the validation that both these young men felt–not that their hardships were “worth” it. Rather, their choices in how to manage those hardships mattered. I would be remiss to not also include how proud I was to listen as Bryant Koback, a proud honors graduate from both Springfield High School and the University of Toledo, was celebrated as the Undefeated Spirit Foundation’s 2022 College Athlete of the Year during the April 10 event.
It was a good reminder for each of us, especially the adults with whom I shared these experiences. The stories that surround Mr. Ealey, Patrick, Blake and Bryant are profound and proof that attitude and determination play a huge part in getting us through the toughest of times. They also help us enjoy and appreciate some memorable rewards.
