Well, we did it....
We set out to run 1000 miles in five months, and on November 2, 153 days after the first mile, the last mile was logged.
I started this journey on the old track that rings our game field at Eastgate, plodding through three miles on June 2nd. Flash forward to Sunday morning with a beautiful November sky providing a perfect backdrop, and back again on that lonely track, the last mile fell. I'm not going to lie - that last mile felt pretty darn good!
We hit our goal of 1000 miles, and I am proud to say that the Extra Mile is now a historical fact. In every measurable way, the Extra Mile was an utter success.
With the intention of raising awareness, raising much needed funding, and generating an excitement and enthusiasm for our growing soccer program, we surpassed almost every expectation.
I say "almost every expectation" with good reason, because as you have come to learn about me through this journey, I knew we'd open many eyes along the way. You do get what you expect in this life, and I expected the record breaking success of this simple campaign was a formality.
This knowing was more than just positive thinking or optimism on my part. I had a secret that those on the outside did not know. I knew you. I knew that the people at the core of this program were capable of accomplishing things that nobody else ever before thought was possible. That idea is what this whole soccer program is built around - making history and attacking our goals and realizing our dreams.
The mileage count, as always, was a collective effort. Holding true to the two substitutions per month rule, I borrowed generously from our base in October to reach the 1k mark. Both donations in October came from people with special connection to the Valparaiso family.
The first came from a fellow coach in our athletic department coaching staff. Head softball coach, Randy Schneider, gifted us a 13.1 mile run that he had completed in a half marathon race in his home state of Iowa. I have thoroughly enjoyed the support I have found within the halls of the ARC from our athletic department peers, and it speaks volumes to the athletic culture being created at the university. The softball team has grown in ways that inspire all of us one campus, and with leadership like Coach Schneider's, it is clear to see why. Thank you Randy for this great donation!
My second substitute in October is a repeat mileage donor, as well as having pledged support financially. Eddie Bermes, a VU grad, and father of senior MF player Brett Bermes, successfully took on the Chicago Marathon in October. What a great accomplishment for Eddie - and a tremendous gift of mileage for our efforts... well done Eddie!
Sunday morning, just after the final steps of the Extra Mile were taken, a group of 100 or so gathered in Hilltop Gym for a pancake breakfast. This wonderful event allowed us to simultaneously cheer for reaching our goal of 1000 miles and to honor our senior class appropriately before taking the field in our final home game of the 2008 season. The pancakes were great, the company better. The seniors were then given our full attention, and they later again inspired us with a great performance in a 3-0 win.
I slept very well for the first time in months that night, comforted in the fact that our program had grown even more by the end of that great day. Even as we now look forward to the next NEXT THING, we have a fantastic memory that is forever ours to hold.
So, how much did we raise? Let me preface the amount pledged by saying that we have accomplished the largest single fund raising event by a non-revenue sport team in Valparaiso history, and I am not sure we are done. I have been working still on some new donors, and have a strong feeling more gifts will come our way.
As of this morning, we have received pledges in the amount of over... drum roll... $35,000!!!
Over half of that pledged amount has been actually received, and there is no reason to doubt that we will hit that mark in a few short weeks. This is a tremendous accomplishment, and you should all be very proud.
I can only say thank you so many times and in so many ways, so let me just say it once more:
THANK YOU!
So, where does the money go? Good and fair question.
The money will allow us to continue to do - as the Extra Mile name implies - the "extra" things that will help our program develop into one of the nation's elite.
We have a wonderful opportunity at Valparaiso University to offer promising young soccer players a first rate education on a small, faith based liberal arts campus. In addition, and as if they needed more enticement than that alone, we have the chance to earn this small college education while competing at the highest levels of NCAA Division 1 soccer.
We are unique because of this combination, and I say that proudly. But, being the small fish in a large pool also presents some interesting challenges. We don't have big time athletic department resources, yet we have to compete with them on the playing field.
The Extra Mile funds will help us level that playing field a little bit. Better resources allow us to better educate our players, and in turn, allow us to provide these future leaders the greatest experience possible. I honestly believe we are doing important work here, and we use the sport of soccer merely as a vehicle to teach life lessons that can forever change the players that come through our program.
They then can go out and change the world.
This is exciting stuff, important stuff - and you have made a huge difference.
I hope you stay tuned in to the program, and I trust you will take the pride of ownership as you watch us climb even higher mountains in the days and months and years ahead.
So for the last time...
Gotta run (not really - but I do have to go pick up Alex from school),
Mike
