This week there was a memorial service for Don Coryell, a football coach at San Diego State University and with the San Diego Chargers.  In his tenure, Air Coryell became an offense to be feared in the National Football League (NFL).  Football greats from all over the country gathered to honor him.

Among those in attendance were three members of the football Hall-of-Fame (HOF);  John Madden, Oakland Raiders and broadcaster supreme, Dan Fouts, San Diego Chargers quarterback who piloted Air Coryell and former Redskins coach Jake Gibbs.  All give great credit to Coach Coryell for their successes.  To a man they agreed that coach Coryell was a big œmissing for the HOF.

I totally agree on Coach Coryell and I have my own candidates for various HOFs.  One is Homer Beatty, the best football coach who will never be in the HOF.  In his tenure at Cal State, L.A. he beat Coach Coryells San Diego State team three consecutive years.  No mean feat in those days. (early 60s)

If you go to any playground in South Central L.A. and mention the name Raymond Lewis there will be someone who will remember him for his basketball exploits even though it was 40 years ago.  Probably every neighborhood in any city has their version of Raymond Lewis.   From Ruckers in N.Y. to Brewster Center in Detroit and Queen Anne Playground in L.A.  Great talent that could not overcome the effects of their environment.

Each of you has candidates for my list,, I am sure.  Is there some defining factor that has one person honored and not another?  Is it talent?  Is it luck?  Is it contribution?  Is it unselfishness?

I certainly do not know.  I do have a candidate that embodies both contribution and unselfishness.  She is celebrating her 53rd birthday today as she travels some part of the world leading courses for her current employer.  Her name is Dawn Elizabeth Corpolongo nee Todd.  She is my oldest daughter, wife of Rick and mother of my two oldest grandchildren, Jasmine and Ryan.

Dawn is truly the matriarch of our family, especially since her mother, Sally died unexpectedly at 44 years of age.  Even before that she was in-charge of her sisters and brother.  In fact, her nickname (only known to a few) was œthe little old lady

Dawn has been engaged in transformational work her whole adult life.  She has lead thousands of courses and seminars for untold numbers of people.

She has affected those peoples lives by calmly and quietly going about her business (I am sure there are times when she would question the œcalm part).  Dawn is always a stand for peoples dignity and worth, no matter their circumstances.

I am sure Dawn will not be enshrined in a known HOF.  However, I want you to know that she will always be in mine. Happy Birthday, Dawn.  Thank you for being the amazing person you have always been.  I love you.