Tuesday April 28, 2009

Ryan Video; Fridge Upgraded; Hall of Fame

Ryan Video
Last Friday night we were involved in “Merging Highways”, a teen driver awareness program at the Buncombe Street United Methodist Church in Greenville. Below is the video that Brad Hughes put together on Ryan’s story. The video is 13 minutes long but I encourage you to watch and hopefully parents of teenagers will watch it with their kids.

The video can be found at http://bradhughesinsurance.com/ryans-story.html

I was encouraged at the attention span of the teens in attendance but the most fulfilling moments of the event came when teens and their parents introduced themselves afterwards. One mom thanked Ryan for the evening because her daughter was caught last week driving 80 mph and passing three cars despite a double yellow line. I met another teen who totaled her car only 11 days after getting her license. She told me the cause of her accident was inexperience because she did not know the procedure of turning left at a red light.

Before the event, we received an e-mail from a mom who lost her daughter in an accident last March. Her daughter was texting while driving and lost control of the vehicle.

After last Friday, clarity from Ryan’s accident hit me right in the face. I knew Ryan came back for a reason and I understand it more every day. That young man has continued to affect so many people and it was even more evident Friday.

Ryan loves getting involved. In the future, we will be spending more time speaking to youth groups, church groups, etc. The first appearance we made was at the Mauldin First Baptist Church and was spiritual based. This one was a message to teen drivers. The message can geared to church groups, youth groups, sports teams or any group looking for inspiration. Ryan says if you know of any group that could benefit from his message then he will come so please let us know.

The Fridge Upgraded
Last week we found out about William Perry’s health issues and encouraged everyone to pray for the former Clemson star. The news is good as Perry has been upgraded to fair condition. He remains in the hospital in Aiken but the news of his improvement is welcomed. Keep getting better Fridge!

You can still send your prayers to the Fridge and his family at www.aikenregional.com

Hall of Fame
Yesterday Charlie Bussey, the Executive Director of the Clemson Letterwinners Association, announced the Hall of Fame class of 2009. The class will be inducted the night before the home opener against Middle Tennessee State. Eight new members of the Hall of Fame include seven former athletes and one former coach at Clemson.

The 2009 class is made up of the following former Tigers: Rob Bodine (Football, 1989-91), Sheri Bueter (Women’s Soccer, 1994-98), Brian Dawkins (Football, 1992-95), Jean Desdunes (Men’s Tennis, 1980-83), John Engler (Golf, 1997-2001), Chuck Kriese (Men’s Tennis Head Coach, 1975-2008), Grayson Marshall (Men’s Basketball, 1984-88) and Jodi Steffes (Volleyball, 1998-2001).

I have fond memories of several members of the class of 2009.

I remember Rob Bodine as a tough former walk-on that beat all of the odds. It was tough being a walk-on and even tougher considering he was undersized for a nose guard. But the toughest odds he had to overcome was getting playing time with all of the ultra-talented defensive linemen Clemson had at the time. Bodine was tenacious. He played as hard as any Tiger who ever put on the uniform. He became the second Clemson walk-on to receive All-American honors.

I remember Brian Dawkins as a thrown-in guy when Clemson recruited Patrick Sapp. However, Dawkins went on to become the finest Clemson strong safety in school history. I remember his three picks in one quarter against Duke but remember more of his high character. Dawkins just out worked people. He was a natural leader that Clemson fans got to see before the Eagle fans fell in love with him. I think Dawkins may become the first Clemson player to be inducted in the professional football Hall of Fame.

I remember Grayson Marshall and his assists. He broke every Clemson assist record and is still in the top 20 in NCAA basketball history. Marshall brought swagger to Clemson basketball.

I remember my rounds with John Engler where he showed his amazing ability to take it really low. Engler is the best left-hander I have ever played with. He had a tremendous short-game. I remember his ACC title. But most importantly, I remember Engler fighting back from a horrible car accident.

I am embarrassed to say I did not see Sheri Bueter, Jean Desdunes or Jodi Steffes excel in their respective sports but I know they are deserving and should be proud of this tremendous honor.

But the one member of the new class I felt the best for is Chuck Kriese. For 34 years Kriese poured his heart and soul into the Clemson men’s tennis program. He is the all-time winningest coach in the Atlantic Coast Conference for total wins (685) and league victories (166). He won 10 ACC titles. He was the national coach of the year in 1981 and 1986. He was a big success on the court.

However, I remember Kriese more for his mind and his philosophies. He is a unique character who is extremely bright. I enjoyed every conversation I have ever had with this tennis legend but very few ever dealt with tennis. Kriese taught life lessons and the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame dinner should be very interesting with his speech.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
*If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
*If you would like to add someone to the list please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*If you want the reason for the prayer to be added to the name please specify in your e-mails.
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list

Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, Mrs. Kathleen Bowers, Larry in Naples, FL, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Sandy Wright, Jo Ann Bachman, Frank Taylor, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Christine Hepfer, Daniel Rosborough, Amy Murphey, Jack Huffman, Nancy Winkler, Dr. Nancy Strom Morgan, Edward Putman, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Jean-Pierre Bailey, Kaitlyn L, William Perry.