The Unheard Success Stories

So often today we hear about College Athletes who are in the news because of there run-ins with the law, what we don't hear so much about is those athletes that take advantage of the opportunities presented by there Athletic talents and parlay those into success outside the Athletic arena. I would like to introduce you to two friends of mine who did just that.

The first is Joe Becker. Joe's dad worked in the facilities department at UCLA- and could not afford to send Joe to college. After two years of Junior College Mr. Becker won a football scholarship to Fresno State. As a player #71 was outstanding-winnin all conference honors his Sr year-more importantly Joe worked hard in the classroom and got a degree. Becker is know a successful businessman in the Sacramento Area. All this has been achieved because he took advantage of his scholarship.

The 2nd is Dr. (yes-of Medicine) William Griever. Bill is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. Neither of Griever's parents attended college and he would not have been able to attend college were in not for his football talents. At Fresno State Griever (playing tight end) saw the field every year. He caught 6,1,4 and 20 passes during each year of his career-he never scored a TD although he did catch a critical two point conversion during the Bulldogs 1982 California Bowl victory over Bowling Green. The classroom was were Griever was an All-American. Bill double majored in Chemistry and Biology and won the President's Medal (top undergraduate in the whole university) upon Graduation. Griever went onto Medical School at Boston University and is know a successful General Practitioner in Massachusetts.

So I hope that the next time you read about Athletes dropping out of school or having scrapes with the law there are many others who are taking advantage of there scholarships.