Indiana University Athletics
Adewale's Big Ten Speech
8/3/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Adewale's Big Ten Speech
The following is a transcript of a speech given by All-America candidate Adewale Ogunleye at the Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon. Ogunleye was chosen to represent the Big Ten players by addressing the luncheon.
"Thank you.
On behalf of the Big Ten student-athletes in attendance today, I would like to welcome Commissioner Delaney, the Big Ten football coaches, Big Ten alumni, and its fans to the 1999 Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon. Today's banquet is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the Big Ten Conference and to look forward to another exciting season of Big Ten Football. I am most appreciative of this opportunity to speak to you today about my experience as a Big Ten student-athlete and what the Big Ten Conference and Indiana University mean to me.
Every athlete here today has a different story to tell. A unique background. Diverse skills and different goals. While certainly none of us are the same, we have a few things in common: First, we are student-athletes at Big Ten universities. We all play in the finest conference in America. And we are proud that we have been afforded the privilege to play Big Ten football. Secondly, we all aspire to win the Big Ten championship.
My story begins in Staten Island, New York. My parents, Gabriel and Lori (DON'T ASK ME HOW I ENDED UP WITH THE NAME ADEWALE) had lofty goals for me and, entering my sophomore year at Tottenville High School, I was not meeting the high academic standards they had established for me. Compared to their standards, I was not doing well in school. To them, not doing well was to bring home any grade below an A. My parents went to Jim Munson, my high school coach, and told him that they thought that I should no longer play football. I was a good player but certainly not -- my parents thought -- a future Division One athlete in the making. I was a gawky wide receiver and certainly had no vision of ever playing defensive end, the position I presently play at Indiana. Thankfully, my high school coach convinced my parents that maybe, just maybe, I could earn a scholarship to play football in college. Fortunately, my parents allowed me to play football and yes -- sometimes to my own amazement and certainly to theirs -- I earned a football scholarship to attend Indiana University.
I stepped foot on the Bloomington campus in August of 1995 as a 215-pound freshman. I was in a different world. People often ask me to compare Staten Island, New York to Bloomington, Indiana. My standard reply is that New York City is like a Corvette and Indiana is like a pickup truck. A very OLD pickup truck.
Despite its differences from New York, Bloomington is a beautiful place. In the spirit of intense rivalry we sometimes like to put our blinders on and try to convince ourselves that Michigan Stadium really isn't that big ... that Joe Paterno isn't really that good a coach ... and that Northwestern really isn't that good a school. Some Purdue fans probably try to convince themselves that the IU campus really isn't that beautiful. If we take off the blinders I think we will come to realize that Michigan Stadium really is that big, Joe Paterno is a great coach, Northwestern is an excellent school, and IU's campus is gorgeous. And yes, Purdue fans, I'll even admit that Drew Brees is.........well........a pretty good quarterback.
ESPN-THE MAGAZINE wrote last year, "Bloomington is an ideal place. As racially and ethnically diverse as any New York neighborhood, the city's limits embrace all continents and creeds. That is so very true. Big Ten universities bring diversity to their midwestern towns and culture to the heartland. I have lost my wallet twice since I have been at IU and both times someone has taken the time to return it to me. No money missing. No credit cards used. Driver's license still where I left it. How many places anywhere in the world can you honestly expect to have a wallet mailed to you after you lost it.....TWICE. Bloomington is such a place.
As I look down this table I first look at the coaches. The country's best football coaches are in the Big Ten Conference. My first coach, Bill Mallory, is a man of character, work ethic, and compassion. He demanded that I gave my all in everything I did. Coach Cam is much the same. He demands great things from his players. He expects us to succeed both on and off the field.
It isn't good enough just to be a good student.
It isn't good enough just to be a good player.
He expects his players to fulfill both responsibilities. I feel extremely comfortable going to Coach Cam to ask for advice and guidance. I know that he wants what is best for my teammates and me.
My parents know that he has my best interests in mind and they trust him. To them, that is everything.
Indiana University has afforded me the opportunity to succeed academically. I have earned an undergraduate degree in English with a minor in African-American Studies. I will be enrolled in Postgraduate studies this fall in preparation for law school. Coach Cameron's expectation for his players is that we graduate in four years. To play our fifth year we should already be graduated and working on an additional degree. We have many academic success stories at Indiana University. I have teammates who will be doctors, lawyers, teachers, and most importantly leaders in their communities. Matt Snyder, our starting left guard, has won national accounting awards. Justin Smith, my roommate, aspires to be a Rhodes Scholar and has the grades to achieve that goal. Antwaan Randle El, my teammate sitting at this table will be a successful sportscaster and I specifically heard him say that he was interested in someone's job who is sitting at this table (mumbles Mike Tirico)
As I look at Antwaan and the other players in the conference I see the Big Ten's finest. America's finest. I have had the opportunity to spend time with many of these guys at different outings and I can assure you that each and every one of you should be proud of the players representing your school. Several players have chosen to put the National Football League on hold to return to school for another season. There may be no better testament to what the Big Ten means to us than making that choice.
While the players and coaches get most of the attention, we realize that Big Ten football would not be what it is today without school administrators, the media, and most importantly its fans. We the players, coaches, and everyone who cares about the success of the Big Ten Conference must honor our fans because they look up to us and we must not let them down.
Antwaan received an E-mail several months ago from a fan in Tennessee. He was 12-years-old and Antwaan had called him on the phone just to say hello. His dad relayed this message from his 12-year-old son in an E-mail. Jamie and I were riding in the car the other day on the way to his baseball game. He was pitching that night so I asked him if he was nervous. He said no so I asked him if he liked playing baseball. He said, "Dad, I'm just doing this to stay in shape because I have a dream. I want to play football at Indiana someday."
We players should feel fortunate to be living our dreams and should and continue to live up to the lofty expectations we set for ourselves so children will continue to aspire to be like us.
As we look ahead to this fall we all know that records will fall (mumbles RON DAYNE), upsets will occur, and great triumphs will be won. We know that stadiums will be full and fight songs will be sung. We also know that there is nothing better than Big Ten football. On behalf of the players, I'd like to thank all of you for helping to make Big Ten football what it is today -- the greatest conference in America. We will do everything we can to thank you for your support and to show you how honored we are to be student-athletes in the Big Ten Conference.
Thank you."
