“There is no replacement for hard work. There isn’t an Eagle Scout out there who didn’t work hard.” – Ryan Zinke, Secretary of the Interior
Father of Eagles
I never grew up participating in Scouting (either Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts), however my wife come from a family tradition of not just participating but having two brothers in a generation achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. Her two older brothers achieved this rank, as did her father and uncle and family legend has it that her grandfather also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, however the files in Iowa managed by the regional Boy Scouts of America do not go back to the late 1920s to early 1930s. It was with this illustrious family history that my two sons began their scouting adventure. Although I had no experience with Scouting, I became my younger son's Cub Scout Den Leader for four years. The three of us shared many wonderful memories from Pinewood Derbies to camping at Goshen. The fact that my boys are now a third generation of brothers who have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout is wonderful legacy they have continued and built upon, one that would not have occurred without their mother's incredible support
“Sports teach you character. It teaches you to play by the rules. It teaches you to know what it feels like to win and lose.” – Billy Jean King
Dad of an Athlete
Like many of my generation, I grew up playing organized sports throughout the year. I started playing travel soccer, softball and baseball. By middle school I gravitated to wrestling, and wrestled throughout high school and intramurally in college. Along the way I became an avid weightlifter and combat arts practitioner. I think we all ultimately believe that we might be a better athlete than we really are, however I am blessed to have a child (my youngest) whose passion on the field hockey pitch truly defines her priorities and outlook on life. She is incredibly committed and is a wonderful team player that is following her dreams to play at the collegiate level.