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May 25, 2002--I am honored by this opportunity to speak to you on this important occasion, the celebration of your graduation. This ceremony also provides a chance for your family, friends and the University community to express their pride in you and wish you continued success. I would also like to recognize the financiers of your frolic, your parents.
I hope you’re not offended by the selection of a retired, unlettered, old football coach as your commencement speaker. My presence alone attests to the problems that the University faced in finding one. There were many suggestions, but the final selection came between Bill Cosby and me. When it became important to spend money wisely, I became the prudent choice. As your questions arise, think of the money we saved. In addition, I have graciously agreed to let the University use my field for this ceremony.
It was not without fear that I accepted this responsibility. I have spent many exciting days and evenings in this stadium, but this arena can become a hostile environment. Angry critics have yelled at me here. You must remember that, while winning a lot of games, I’ve been accused of losing a bunch. Consequently, I feel as insecure here as a kid who came home from school and found his parents had moved.
You and I have a lot in common, for I am graduating, too. The big difference, however, is that it took me 48 years, while most of you have made it in four, five or six years.
The University of Delaware is one of the great universities in America, and I know you share my pride in her. You have completed the requirements for your degree following highly selective admissions and competitive grading. You are an academically elite group with a great deal going for you.
Each class builds upon the accomplishments of those who have gone before, and in the future, your achievement may well shower you and the University with further acclaim. Much is expected of you. You may be familiar with St. Luke’s words, “For unto whomever much is given, of him shall much be required.” Expectations for your continued success are high.
As you confront your quarter-life crisis, the world is not well. We are at war against invisible enemies; the economy is unstable; new jobs and exciting careers may be difficult to initiate now. It’s cold out there.
A polar bear and her cub sat on an ice cap in indescribable cold. The bear’s attention, while sniffing for dinner, was continually interrupted by questions from the cub. “Are you sure you’re a real polar bear?” the cub asked. “Was daddy a thoroughbred and doesn’t that make me one, too?” “Yes, yes,” she said, now impatiently, “Why do you bother with these silly questions?” “Cause I’m freezing my tail off!” If the polar bear is cold in his environment with all of the accommodations that evolution has provided him, you can expect some discomfort, too.
Scott Peck writes in The Road Less Traveled, there is an aspect of life that will be difficult. Knowing this should help you as you begin your career. Check the air in your helmets and buckle your chin straps; life is a highly competitive game. If you accept the premise that everyone experiences disappointing and uncomfortable periods, it will encourage you to schedule hard work before you anticipate rewards. It gives rise to the reality that you don’t just win on Saturday, but you win a little every day. This is the discipline of delaying gratification and introduces investing in your future.
You may invest not only in the labors of life, but in character aspects as well. You should consider investments in honesty, ethics, loyalty and your communion with God. Don’t be afraid to be good and show goodness. Love and respect both your teammates and opponents, whatever your vocation, for they are all being tested, too. Invest in friends; they are priceless.
Have a lot of fun, but play by the rules, and remember, discipline makes the world go round and may also put a positive spin on your life. Few things of value occur without discipline.
For 50 years, I have observed talented athletes. It has been a reoccurring experience to hear them say they knew they would play well long before they actually could. Their success had its beginning as a vision of what it would be like to succeed. That vision then became a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Our own Jamin Elliot, who is graduating today and was recently drafted by the Chicago Bears of the National Football League, is a good example. He had problems catching the ball early in his career. He envisioned that he could develop good hands with a great deal of work. With hand dexterity drills, he eventually developed the skill required to catch any ball that he could touch.
Each of you can create a dream and go for it. This dream should encourage you to reach for the awesome and elusive concept of perfection and stretch you to your fullest. Don’t cower from shooting high. Robert Browning said, “A man’s reach should exceed his grasp or what is a heaven for?” The result of truly hard work can create the talent of your dreams. Many highly skilled people credit hard work for what others think is natural talent.
Richard Gannon, a 1986 Delaware graduate, who plays for the Oakland Raiders, is purported by many to be the best quarterback in the National Football League. He is separated from others by an uncanny focus on each play as separated from the game. This focus minimizes distractions as he executes, avoiding the imposition of hope of winning or the paralyzing fear of failure. We can develop that same focus. Ignoring the fear of failure encourages a healthy level of risk, which becomes so important in responding to opportunity.
You will want to take some risk to realize your dreams. You cannot hit home runs if you’re afraid of striking out. Thomas Jefferson said, “I sail my ship with hope and leave fear in the stern.”
The members of a football team share a great deal of love and respect. Everyone experiences grueling practices and continually sacrifices for each other. Each individual becomes incredibly important because he is bound to the team in inter-dependence. Everyone knows his limitations, yet grows in synergism, creating a force that becomes difficult to beat.
As one wise man said, “You cannot choose your battleground. The gods do that for you, but you can plant a standard where a standard never flew.”
 God created conditions affecting your life over which you have no control. Your fingerprints, DNA and the structure of your eyes identify you as a unique human, differing from all others. Because of this, you may do things no other person could do. This makes each of us very special. You, your teammates and your opponents should be regarded as being unique. Your neighbor also has a vision: Look in on his dream and perhaps you can help him realize it. Help enough people realize their dreams, and perhaps yours may also come true.
Mark Twain said, “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones that you did do. So, throw out the bow lines and sail away from the safe harbor; catch the trade winds in your sails; explore dreams and discover.”
Once again, may I express our pride in you and my love for Delaware. May I congratulate you again, and wish you the best.
May your dreams come true.
Photos of Harold R. "Tubby" Raymond by Jon Cox
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