Hall of Fame Run

There are so many coaches that have had amazing careers in their specified sports, coaches like Vince Lambardi, John Wooden, Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K), and the list goes on and on. These coaches all had a great "Run", and now they are in their respective Hall of Fames. One might ask how these coaches got to partake in this famous honor. Well, I am sure they all had their ups and downs, but they were determined to get through the adversity and enjoyed the fun times.

Although I have talked about famous coaches, I would like to write about one "Coach" in particular that is not as famous, Coach Paul Michael Gilmore. If you are wondering why I am calling Paul a coach, well it is because "Coach" is a common nickname around here. We just call everyone coach, that is how we greet each other.

So, the reason why I am posting this is because my roommate and best friend graduates from Texas State. Since he is leaving for the real world, I couldn't help but wonder what life would be like next semester. For all of those people that don't really know much about Paul and I, let me give you a break down of our relationship. Paul and I met in the 8th grade at a church retreat when my brother, Chris, was an intern. Chris and a group of youth were walking around talking about pick up lines. Yeah, I know, probably not church material, but that is where the journey started. It wasn't too long after that that him and I became good friends. Hanging out every sunday during sunday school, and even the occasional sleep over. However, it was in 10th grade that we became best friends when we went on a mission trip to Honduras. I have heard many people say that going on a mission trip brings people together... Well, imagine 5 mission trips, a multitude of volunteer opportunities, and living with each other for two years can do. That is a pretty close bond.

When we were in the college community at Houston's First Baptist Church, everyone knew that we were always together. It would seem in ways that were a pair. It was always, "Paul and Shawn"and there were even times when people called us the others name, even though him and I don't look that similar.

Paul has been such a great friend to me. He has always been there through the times, good and bad. He is such a man of God and he sets a great example, not only for me but for everyone else. I could always depend on him for telling me the truth, even when it hurt. He also has influenced me in so many ways. Just from being around him so much, I have learned the importance of encouraging others and having strong character. That is one of his qualities that I like. What you see is what you get, and you get a lot... And that is not a fat joke. You will always laugh, smile, and feel welcomed when he is around. He is just that type of guy, laid back. Another thing that I love about Paul is his servant heart. He is always wanting and willing to help anyone in need, and that is another thing that I have learned from him. There is a lot more things that I could say, but I don't want to make this post a novel.

All in all, Paul and I have had a great "Run". We have had a lot of great times, and I would never trade our relationship or the time we have spent together for anything else in the world. So, coach, we had a great run and I appreciate your friendship. Congratulations and I know that God will use you in great ways. Much love bro and if there was a "Best Friend Hall of Fame" you would be there on the first ballot!

NSAC Finish Line

It was a picture finish of the last lap to see who won the AAF National Student Advertising Competition. Texas State University... took home the Bronze. Can an Olympian look at a bronze medal and call that a failure? Could it be both a failure and a success at the same time? I probably would never know what an Olympian would think, but for me it is exactly like my last question. A failure but a success.

I say failure because I am a competitor. As the great Herm Edwards said, "I PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!" Maybe it is not a failure, but it definitely stinks that we didn't come home with the first place trophy and had the opportunity to compete at nationals. In my mind, I wanted first so bad not because I felt that ours was better (although I do think that), but because of all the hard work my team and I put into this. I guess I felt that since we worked so hard that we were entitled the first place trophy.

However, I started to think that it was a success because I thought of all the teams that put just as much time into this competition and went home with nothing. How did they feel? To waste a spring break, to spend countless late nights at the school, to get so very little sleep, and to come home with nothing would just be heart breaking. My heart goes out to those teams that did have good ideas but came up short.

Of course, in any hard events that everyone goes through, there are lessons to be learned. Here are some things that I came away with. First, it doesn't matter how good your idea is. It is how you sell it and even then it is up to the client. If you don't get the job, take it with a grain of salt, and keep on going. Second, the friendships that you build are very important. Yes it's a competition, but the friendships that you make could last forever. Nick Melita, Kelby Schmidt, Ryan Tyson, and Adrian Bennett, it was a great pleasure to go into battle with you and I would never take this experience away. I hope I am not being extra weird... The third thing that I learned is to always work hard because if you do, it will pay off someday. Maybe not everytime, but people see that you work hard and they want to work with you. Also, let's just face it. People like hard workers.

This AAF NSAC was hard. I didn't sleep very much, I was tired a lot, but in the end it was worth it. It was worth staying at school until 3:30 AM. It was worth being tired... because at the finish line I saw how I have grown through this experience. I saw the friendships that I made, and I saw how the real world works. This is what counts... This is my life... This is my Poreia