In August of 1979, I loaded my ’71 Buick La Sabre and headed for Louisiana and Northwestern State University. The opportunity to continue my athletic career was a scholarship offer to play both football and baseball at NSU. To say I was nervous would be an understatement, but I was also excited and scared all at the same time.
Back then, the NSU football staff would send you a workout program at the beginning of the summer that you needed to follow in order to show up in shape for two-a-days. Being a new incoming freshman and not knowing what to expect, I showed up in the best shape of my life.
That summer I held down three jobs. One was working from 5:00 AM till 7:30 each morning for a company called Tex Pac, which was similar to FedEx today. Then I would head for the Texas Highway Department from 8:00 till 5:00. My evening job was working for Dixie Youth from 6:00 till 9:30 keeping score and general field maintenance. Then I would do my NSU workout in the dark from 10:00 till 11:30 PM at the high school track/football field.
Let’s just say that sleeping was not a problem for me during this time. I will also admit that a Tex Pac co-worker who was a close friend of mine (Bill Curry) had to knock on my door a few times to makes sure I got up. But everything considered, I was fairly responsible at making sure I was on time for all my summer jobs.
Then the day came to load the car and head for Louisiana. Little did I know at the time that this would be the greatest journey of my life. It would alter my life in ways I could never imagine.
It was a three-hour drive from Mt. Pleasant, Texas, to Natchitoches, Louisiana and NSU. I can still remember asking myself, “Am I good enough to play on the division 1 level? Will I be able to compete with these guys? Will my teammates accept me for the person I am, and will I fit in?”
These are questions every athlete asks themselves when making that jump from high school to college. But as I arrived in the parking lot at the football dorm on NSU campus, I was immediately greeted by a couple of Demon football players. Both offering me a solo cup of ice-cold beer that was being iced down in three horse troughs.
Now being from East Texas and a dry town, I was raised on Kool-Aid and sweet tea, along with a daily glass of milk. For me, the thought of a beer just did not set well and even over time, I never developed a taste for beer.
It did not take me long to realize that I was no longer in East Texas anymore! Coming to Louisiana was a culture shock for me personally, to say the least, but one that I would embrace. All the guys (teammates) were so welcoming and supporting that it helped to make the transition easier.
Leaving home for the first time in 1979 and being on my own really helped me to grow up. We all thought that when we turned 18, we knew everything, and our parents knew nothing. We thought we were ready to tackle the world, and while most of us were, we still made dumb decisions. But this is all a part of the maturation process that each of us goes through, and hopefully survives, coming out a better person on the other side.
Looking back, my college experience was awesome as I played football and baseball with some of the greatest athletes that ever played at Northwestern State. It was an experience that changed my life forever. I met my wife (Sherrie) of 44 years, and we raised three beautiful children and continue to live in Natchitoches to this day.
When we’re young, we don’t always recognize how great an opportunity is until it’s all over. To every athlete out there that gets the opportunity to play on the collegiate level, don’t waste it!
Take advantage and make the most of your time in college. Additionally, make sure to show appreciation to those who granted you that chance to extend your athletic career. But more importantly, thank them for the opportunity to get a college degree!
Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com
