(Cushing, Okla.) His father was legendary and in his own right, he is, too.
Jay Wilkinson, author, motivational speaker, NCAA Silver Anniversary award winner, All American/Sports Hall of Fame member at Duke University, successful businessman and son of the late, great “Bud” Wilkinson, was the special guest speaker at a Cushing Chamber of Commerce luncheon held at the Steer Inn on Wednesday.
For those too young to remember, Bud Willkinson served as the head football coach at the University of Oklahoma from 1947 – 1963. During his time at OU, the Sooners won three national championships and 14 conference titles. Between 1953 and 1957, the Sooners won 47 straight games – a record that still stands in college football.More importantly, Bud Wilkinson not only inspired his team members to strive to always do their best, he inspired his sons, affectionately known as “Bud’s Boys”, to be the best they could be. His inspiration came through example and from letters he wrote to his sons.
Jay said his book, ‘Dear Jay, Love Dad Bud Wilkinson’s Letters to his Son’ came about after he had read a part of a letter at a talk. “I decided to re-read the letters dad sent me while I was at Duke,” Jay explained. “I realized they held remarkable insights and lessons regarding leadership and parenting.”
Jay continued by sharing key points of things his father taught him, interspersed with direct quotes from the letters written to him by his father, as well as a poem written by Dale Wimbrow that hung on his wall – ‘The Man in the Glass.’ (Click here to read: Man in the Glass)
“‘How good do you want to be?’ my dad would ask. ‘It’s up to you,"” Jay said. “It’s the man in the glass you have to answer to.”
The overall theme of the letters is the “will to win” along with “a burning desire to get things done in a positive way.” Jay spoke of the importance of values, preparation, attitude and perserverance, as well as integrity, selflessness, goal-setting, motivation, determination and faith.
“Each of you are coaches,” he told Chamber guests. “These are principles to successful leadership.”
In concluding, Jay urged those attending the meeting to “motivate and inspire – and write a note to someone.”
To learn more about Jay Wilkinson go to: www.winningthewilkinsonway.com
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