“Recruiting” visit

For several months I've been scheduled to speak to Northwest's Knacktive class this afternoon. Just a quick trip up to Maryville, try to impart some wisdom to a group of college students and jet back home. Really simple, right?

But when Jack woke up and came downstairs this morning (well, half woke up — he was laying on the couch and still very groggy), I casually mentioned, "Hey, I'm goin' to Northwest today. Wanna go?" Now, keep in mind that he's usually pretty vocal about voicing his displeasure when we drag him to Northwest events, make him sit through Bearcat sporting events or introduce him to other alums. This time, however, his face lit up and he eagerly said, "Yeah!" That definitely wasn't the reaction I expected. Then I stammered, "Um ... I need to go talk to Mom."

So after shooting a quick email to his teacher simply stating, "Jack won't be at school today," I then turned my attention to: Jack and I are going to Northwest today!

It was FANTASTIC.

I let him turn the radio up in the car louder than usual. We had great conversations for an hour and a half, all the way up there. Jack even did the impromptu math problems I asked him — based on the time, odometer, speedometer and mile markers.

When we got to Wells Hall on campus, the first professor we met had a handlebar mustache and accompanying mustache thumbtacks and the second professor had a chess set in his office. Jack was soaking it up!

For lunch, we walked with Dr. Shadinger to the union and each got to choose our own custom-made entrees at the Mongolian grill station. Dr. Shadinger was extremely kind and patient putting up with all of Jack's brain-teaser puzzles and riddles. Before leaving the union, we ran into a girl we know from church, a couple of Kappa Sigs and looked around the bookstore.

Over in Colden Hall, getting ready for the Knacktive class to start, Jack spotted another girl from church who we talked to and we caught up with a campus minister from the Wesley

Center who was there. Jack did great sitting quietly in the back of the classroom the entire 50 minutes that I spoke. That is, other than getting everyone to erupt in laughter when he piped up out of the blue to call me out on something he disagreed with.

After my official duties were done, we went to the Administration Building, visited the president's office, received a tour from the director of the library on all of the impressive changes that have been made there and topped it off with a stop back in the union at the ice cream bar. The only reason we left was to get back home for an evening event ... or else we could have stayed for days.

* * *

A few days later, I was surprised to see this letter in Jack's backpack after school (his teacher — Mrs. Jellison — is a Northwest grad, too):

Championship Trophy Tour

In celebration of Northwest's undefeated national championship football season, Landon and I went to the fifth and final stop on the Championship Trophy Tour tonight; the series of events culminated at Sporting Park in KCK after visiting St. Louis, Des Moines, Omaha and St. Joseph all within the past week.

Right at the top of the stairs when we arrived was ... Bobby! (This was my very first picture of the night.)

Before the program began with comments from the university president, athletic director and head football coach, I snapped a quick pic of:

• the NCAA Division II national championship trophy,
• the American Football Coaches Association Division II national championship trophy (known as The Coaches' Trophy),
• the MIAA Conference championship trophy,
• the AFCA Division II Coach of the Year trophy, and
• Northwest's three previous national championship trophies, which — eh — were just left on the floor.

In addition, auctioning off the football, helmet and jersey raised $7,000!
 

A throwback to Landon with Dr. J from the last championship trophy tour in Kansas City four years ago.

And a shot of the field before we left, site of the 2014 NCAA Division II national championship football game itself!

Northwest Networks

View over the Country Club Plaza from tonight's networking event. Thanks Lockton!

Fall Classic XI

Northwest Night at Power & Light

Northwest's Family Weekend

Friday morning at 6:30 a.m., I drove up to Maryville for our fall Northwest Alumni Association board of directors meeting. For such a routine drive, I was amazed at how gorgeous the fall foliage happened to be. Here, the sun rises behind a soybean field.

As immediate past-president, this starts my eighth and final year on the board. We had nearly 100 percent attendance with only one board member (who just moved to Colorado last week) absent. Our meeting went all the way 'til mid-afternoon, but my highlight was getting to hear directly from the vice president of student affairs, Dr. Matt Baker, for 45 minutes. Wow, he's impressive.

The university photographer also took a new picture of my mug.

It was a perfect fall day, so when I left campus on my way to go check in at the hotel, I swung by my favorite street in town.

These two historic mansions are directly across from each other.

After getting dressed up, I went back to campus for the annual Alumni Awards Banquet that evening. Russ & Rita Northup are a great Christian couple who I've gotten to know over the years. He used to be my marketing professor, now I'm lucky to call him my friend.

My adviser, Dr. Bohlken (on the left), also was the adviser for Jay Liebenguth, a new member of our board.

Meanwhile, Leslie and the boys had driven up to Maryville to join in the Family Weekend activities. First, they hit the hotel pool and swam for two solid hours!

Saturday morning, we were all on campus before 10 a.m. I love letting the boys explore, and discover new and familiar things for themselves.

During our stop in the student union, Landon gladly tried out some fan merchandise in the bookstore.

But they were begging to go to the playground. (Actually, I'm fine letting them get that out of their system before the game.) Jack made it all the way across these monkey bars like a pro, but I love how Landon's standing there, pondering how he can do it, too.

Again, Jack shimmied right up this red pole, so Landon was right behind ... but needed a little help.

Nearby was an organized relay game that was part of a larger series throughout campus. Another family needed to do it in order to earn their next clue, so we agreed to participate. Jackson went first for us, spinning around with his forehead on a bat, then weaving in and out around the orange cones. It wasn't until seeing this picture that I realized — that girl's cheating!

Jack tagged Leslie who then "hopscotched" through the hula hoops.

And I was last, making my way back to the beginning in a pillow case. We won!

Next, it was off to the Bearcat Zone, full of special kid-friendly activities — all for free.

You can tell how early we were by the lack of other children. The boys kept going down the slide over and over, as soon as they could climb back up to the top.

They went down every which way you can imagine — feet first, head first, side-by-side, piggyback-style, eyes closed, and on and on.

Jack tried this "reverse tug-of-war" game next.

He went against a girl that was a lot bigger than he is, but he eventually figured it out.

I'm just including this picture because I like that you can see how he's flying backwards, like on a rubberband.

Meanwhile, Leslie and Landon took a break in the shade.

Jousting Jack.

The last activity for him to do was laser tag. But rather than spending five minutes in a vinyl enclosure filled with sweaty kids on a sunny day, I opted for this exterior shot.

After eating lunch, the Bearcat Zone culminates with a pre-game pep rally.

Everybody loves Bobby.

Almost kick-off time.

After the opposing team — Northeastern State University from Tehlequah, Okla. — drove down the field and scored a touchdown on the first possession of the game, Northwest scored 66 unanswered points.

At halftime, the cheerleaders were head over heels. Well, four of them at least.

Leslie and the boys left in the second half, but not before Jack compared the time zones at the International Plaza.

As I left campus after the game, this house looked like it should be on Pinterest.

And I got to listen to the Nebraska/Wisconsin game on the radio on the way home.

Another memorable Northwest recruiting visit — um, I mean "Family Weekend" — in the books!