I grew up on a farm in Ohio wanting to play football at The Ohio State University. I listened to games on the radio every fall while working around the farm. While I did play high school football, I was not one of those kids who had the talent to get recognized by the big schools... buy the likes of Ohio State. And then coming out of high school and starting my college career at a smaller university, I made another discovery my freshman year ... I had a cracked vertebrae that would require career ending surgery to fix.

After two and a half years, two back surgeries, and the death of my father from cancer, I was in my academic counselor's office at OSU Lima Branch getting ready to transfer to main campus. I was so far behind in my progress I thought I may never graduate. However, I had never lost my dream of "playing for Ohio State." My adviser asked me what I wanted to do about it when I got to main campus. I told him that I would love to work with the team as a manager or something. (I knew football - I had coached high school football between back surgeries.) He asked me who I knew associated with the football program. I gave him the first name that came to mind... the name of the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner that I used to listen to on the radio back on the farm every fall. My adviser jokingly dialed his number at main campus and handed me the phone. He answered. I told him my story. He listened. He transferred me. That person listened too. He transferred me. I was talking to Coach Bruce's Head Manager. He invited me down for a visit. I become a Manager for the greatest college football program on the planet.

But I had a problem. Losing my father to a 5-year battle with cancer. Two back surgeries. Needing to work full-time to pay for college. There was no way I could make the finances work, and serve the team at the same time. I was sitting in St. Rita's Hospital (where I worked at the time) talking about this with some co-workers when my surgeon, Dr. David Steiner, whom I had become friends with, overheard the conversation. He reminded me that at the time of the two surgeries he had told me that if I ever needed anything to make sure I let him know. So we talked. And he got out his pen and a legal note and his checkbook, and he wrote out two loans for me that I could use for the next two years to help me finish college. I just needed to pay the loans in full within three years of graduation. He was my spine surgeon! Who does that?

I graduated from The Ohio State University after 6+ years. I worked for Coach Bruce and Coach Cooper. I had surgery #3 along the way. I invited Dr. David Steiner to my graduation. We had stayed in contact and I kept him updated on my progress all the time. He couldn't make it... probably doing surgery or something important like that. But he sent a card. His was the last card I opened. Inside he sent his regrets, another note written out, and a copy of the loan papers I had signed. The note read...

"Congratulations on your graduation from college. Please keep the enclosed notes always, not as a remembrance of me, but of an obligation you must make to yourself, to aid a deserving student in earning a higher education. May God bless you and keep you and guide you in a meaningful and productive life that includes services to others. Best Wishes. David B. Steiner, MD"

The notes were marked "Paid in Full" and dated on the date of my graduation. That's why!