SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Aug. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- In 1976, I was 5 years old and my family had just moved to Northbrook from a sister suburb in the state of Illinois. It was also the very same year the winter Olympics was taking place and the beginning of my obsession with speed skating. Back then, the name that stuck out for me was Leah Poulos and a host of others. Leah was the one I remember most at the age of 5, however there were others we all erased. Perhaps there was one who almost made the team and that we never knew about??? Bruce???
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120821/CG60197)
As my obsession with following speed skating grew, I realized Northbrook was truly the speed skating capital of the world and many greats came out of there. The two I followed most closely through the years were David Cruikshank and Andy Gabel. I even had the honor to work for both for a short time. Not sure I succeeded like I wanted to, but they did by letting me in their doors. I now was working for two guys who had athletic talent I monitored through the years for a sport I embraced. If that isn't radical in the best way possible, I have no idea what is.
Getting back to the athletes nobody really knew about back in 1976, there is one I just had to mention. His name is Bruce Conner. He missed making the Olympic team by a few bodies in speed skating. Through all his hard work and effort and powerful horse like legs, he still did not make the team. He was young, however not entirely defeated. In fact, this sparked a crusade to compete for Bruce way later in life. He was far from done and found linear focus later in life that was extreme.
Today, Bruce is 56 and has qualified for Olympic trials three times and now on his way to qualifying again and perhaps making the team. I met Bruce in 2008 as we sat next to each other in the Pettit National Ice Center in Milwaukee. We talked about everything but speed skating and he never mentioned who he was. Not much later, I saw him on TV and thought "what the heck…he never mentioned who he was". Perhaps being humble and just being a nice guy is part of Bruce. I like that and in fact have great respect for this family man and commercial pilot.
I now am on a new journey to watch this 50 something make the team and blow all of your minds. No joke. In fact there is nothing unrealistic about what is going on here. Help me help Bruce get there (www.brucewconner.com).
Bruce has finished his book "Faster As Master. An inspirational sports story about breaking down barriers". He is currently looking for a publisher to help spread his message about how to live an extra ordinary life.
By Bradley D. Weisman www.inthesport.net [email protected]
Learn more at www.brucewconner.com
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To view this video on YouTube, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wlwAu_xUos
Media Contact: Bradley Weisman, InTheSport, 312-310-1017, [email protected]
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SOURCE Bradley D. Weisman
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