Remember the title song of that flick? Are we meant to take more than we give, Alfie? Or are we meant to be kind?” Here at Russellville Park we have four floors in the east building full of apartments occupied by mature citizens who, after a busy day of doing whatever, turn out the light and in that quiet stillness of their lonely room they whisper, what’s it all about, pillow? The pillow doesn’t have a clue and I know I sure as hell don’t. But we all keep asking.
Last week I visited my sister Virginia who lives a few hundred miles away from me. At 96 she is four years older. My second mother. Really smart. Retired as a Vice President of Wells Fargo Bank. We talked a lot and laughed a lot and touched on some serious issues but let me assure you, a river rock has a better understanding of what’s it all about than either Ginny or me.
A lot of people think they know. They don’t. But they do a lot of damage because many truth seekers out there give them power until the whole bloody gang ends up drinking bye-bye Kool-Aid south of the border. Or invading the nation’s Capitol.
The search for what it’s all about becomes more urgent as you notice your dance card has only a few more open spots. What’s behind the curtain? Do your trespasses really count against you? How many stars do you give your life? I know how many stars I deserve but I ain’t telling. Here’s the truth: I was very close to a lot of wonderful triumphs but I was never essential to the mission. Picture a crab louse at the moment of conception.
Well, maybe one. I was Assistant Director of Athletics at the University of Oregon (close to the top but no cigar) when we came up short by about $30,000 of funding the new west grandstand at Hayward Field. We decided to put on a fund-raising track meet and I was given the assignment to put the event together. The only open date possible to run the meet was just over three weeks away so we started the plan in a state of high anxiety.
The key to the success of the mission was to have our wunderkind, Steve Prefontaine, race the Bowling Green State University sensation Dave Wottle who still holds the NCAA mile record of 3.57.1. He would win the 800 meter gold medal at the Munich Olympics. But first we had to get the meet sanctioned by the NCAA. Done. Now get Pre and Dave into the harness. First potential disaster: Pre was scheduled to be in Europe on our meet date. Time to break some rules: I told Pre if he would delay his European trip a week I would buy him a round tripper for his ride (Hey, everybody’s doing it). The NCAA track championships were being held at Louisiana State University the next week and Dave Wottle would be there. So would I. Made Dave the same deal I made Pre and he said yes. Youssaa!
Pre’s agreeing to delay his trip was a magnificent commitment by our middle distance phenom. First he agreed to a mile race he knew he couldn’t win. The pride of most runners would never let them agree to a deal like that. Second, Pre loved the Oregon fans and he did it for them.
Right up until the first event the days were around the clock putting together the other events. Athletes from all over America calling, wanting into the meet where they could qualify for the coming Olympics. Do you believe in miracles? It all came together. Roaring success. Double the needed funds raised. Pre makes a great run but it’s a close loss to the kid in that signature golf hat. And the success of the meet gave birth to what became an annual event called the Prefontaine Classic. It is now the premier track and field meet in America pulling in athletes from all over the world (with a little help from an ex-Oregon runner named Phil Knight).
If you think you know what it’s all about, please give me a call.
