Here's what I'd like to have happen ...
I'd like to see that countdown clock above the Burke Street Bar be set to countdown the hours until I return to my bar. I'm telling you, getting the stories from Big Red and Kahlgirl makes me miss Winston and that crummy old bar! Have one for me next time kids.
I'm not sure what i enjoy more about these road trips to away football games. Is it seeing new places, new schools and how different athletic departments run? No question that is a huge bonus. But I think the best part is having the time in the car where I can just think ... oh, and sing at the top of my lungs to what ever Avril Lavigne song is on the radio. Skater chicks rule.
But I digress. I had a LONG 6-7 hour drive this past weekend to Oxford, OH, for our game v. Miami. We won, which I was thrilled about. More importantly though, it finally hit me. What do I ultimately want to do with my life? This weekend I determined that my ultimate goal is to become the Athletic Director at the University of Georgia.
Some people have dreams of becoming in the NFL or NBA. Some people dream being a doctor or a lawyer. Despite my silly fantasies, which range from working with the WWE to being a rock star to being an actor, I've determined that being the AD at my alma mater is more important to me than any other career dream. I did make this decision this weekend, and thought long and hard about it. Am I ready to dedicate the next 20-30 years of my life to this goal? The answer is yes.
Sure it's easy for me to say this with no wife or kids tying me down, but I know this is what I want. Even if I end up coming close to this, I'll be thrilled.
So the next question that I thought long and hard about was, what will it take for me to put myself in a situation to be an athletic director? That is a question where I will probably seek some advice. I'm planning on speaking with our AD here at NIU, but I think the key will be me getting more involved in either marketing or development. Now a days, raising money is the key. I feel confident I can do that. Sure there is much more to it than that, but that is what I plan on learning. I want to be the Athletic Director at a major Division I university. I will find a way.
So as silly as that may sound to some of you, I have a new dream. I plan on working on it, and working hard. What are your dreams? Do you have realistic ones? Someone might say my dream is not realistic, but I think it is. So if you have a dream, follow it. I know it's cliche, but you can reach those dreams.
And don't get me wrong ... when I'm daydreaming at my desk, I'm still thinking about my acceptance speech at the Academy Awards or rockin' out on stage with Vertical Horizon.
A man can dream.