1 Jason Bartels English 191 Personal Narrative 9-15-10

Jimmy V
I remember hearing the name Jimmy V, or Jim Valvano, over the years by simply having an appreciation for athletics. I knew he was a basketball coach, but I didnt really know much else about him: his career, his lively charisma, his fight against cancer, or the lasting effect he would have on cancer research. More simply, I didnt realize how his words would move me. In 1993, he was the recipient of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the first annual ESPYs, which is the sports world equivalent to the Emmys, Oscars, or Grammys. It was there that he delivered his touching Dont give up, dont ever give up speech that became the motto for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. About five years ago, I was slumped out on the coach watching Sports Center, when they replayed the speech in its entirety. The speech lasted approximately ten minutes, but it was ten minutes loaded full of lessons and passion. I went from idly lounging and spaced-out, to vigorously focused and sensitive. My eyes widened with admiration and my heart raced with emotion. I was spellbound by his charisma and presence in which he held over the audience and myself as he spoke passionately. His enthusiastic aura suggested he possessed and innate gift to lead; he was the type of guy that changed a room just by him being in it. I felt changed- inspired. His tuxedo-bearing frame was tall and slender, which explains him being drawn to basketball. His nose was as long as it was thin and his eyes dark and sunken. His wavy dark

hair and olive-toned complexion only suggested, along with his name, that he was Italian; and of course he was. He spoke with a heavy New Yorker accent that implied an upbringing of toughness and humility, as his voice climbed with enthusiasm and dictation. He preached as though he was filled with life, though he had only weeks to live. He spoke with his hands as much as his words, continually gesturing. His head keenly scanned left and right as he panned the audience, as though he didnt want anyone to be void of his message. He was exceptionally animated and dynamic. Tears welled in my eyes, though not necessarily out of sadness, but overwhelming emotion. I think I even laughed at myself a little as I gathered my thoughts. This was ironic because these are the three things that Valvano proposed a person do every day: think, laugh, and cry. Thats a lot to do in a day, or as Valvano sincerely declared, That's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week; you're going to have something special. His touching speech pressed me to live with more meaning. His lessons were brief, but heavy. I remember contemplating if I could really see myself laughing, thinking, and crying every day. Some days the worries of life are just too much to laugh, I may be too exhausted to spend time in thought, and having my emotions moved to tears daily seemed a formidable assignment. The trying is the central part, I believe. Valvano also urged the audience to spend time everyday contemplating, ...where you started, where you are, and where you want to be. He gave emphasis to having a dream and enthusiasm for life, and to enjoy it. I was in a process of personal maturation at the time, and this speech was the turbo-boost to set me in motion. I knew where I had started, I knew where I was, and I then knew where I wanted to be.

Forward to now, as I remember my simple upbringing in a small town, a son of a teacher and wrestling coach, an early life mixed with modest success and ample mistakes. I know where I am, which is back in school trying to right past wrongs, while building off of my successes. And, I know where I want to be: a successful teacher and coach; a leader of people, like Jimmy V. I strive to one day match his enthusiasm and appreciation for life. Having recently become a high school wrestling coach, I have made it a practice of analyzing Valvano and his famous speech. Not because of its inspirational features that I have mentioned earlier, but to study him: his oratory genius, his profound confidence, his magnetic charisma. I study him in desire of becoming a more effective leader and speaker. I think part of his ability comes from hard work and his attaining an English degree at Rutgers University, with equal credit given to his passion and genuineness; the potion of his makeup. Clearly, Valvanos speech may be considered, at least to me, one of the greatest nonpolitical speeches ever delivered. I reason this not only for the matters that I highlight above, but for the awareness to cancer and cancer research that it caused. He represents a face for those few who havent been in some way affected by cancer, and gives hope to those who have; to both he urges: Dont give up. Dont ever give up. To this, I say amen Jimmy V, and thank you.