Changing Hawaii
Earlier this year I did something that I had never done before and, afterward, I was embarrassed as heck about it. Getting a ‘Pat’ response
In February, after finishing "Reach for the Summit" by Pat Summitt, I sent a fan letter to the famous Tennessee women's basketball coach.
It said something to the effect that 1) she was a fantastic mentor to young female athletes, 2) her book had explained -- in a dynamic and concise manner -- her philosophy about coaching, motivation and life in general, and 3) I hoped we could meet one day so she could autograph my copy.
After affixing the stamp and mailing off the missive, I wanted to kick myself in the okole -- especially when I didn't get ANY response from her. Guess who felt like a fool?
Why had I "bothered" to share my enthusiasm with a busy person who probably gets tons of fan mail from all over the world? I pledged to forget about it and never repeat the faux pas.
Then, yesterday, I received an envelope postmarked Knoxville, Tenn. The notecard inside featured a picture of Coach Summitt, gesturing emotionally toward the court, and some of the Tennessee women's basketball stars who had played on the national championship teams in 1987, '89, '91, '96, '97 and '98.
"Dear Diane," it said inside. "Thank you for the letter and kind words about 'Reach for the Summit.' I am glad you liked the book and were inspired. I appreciate your taking the time to write and will be happy to autograph your copy should we ever meet. I am always thankful for new Lady Vol fans, especially in Hawaii!
"I wish you a successful year at the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and hope to see you in Hawaii some day. Kindest regards, Pat Summitt."
Wow. The fact that the gracious response had come five months after my original fan letter to her didn't quell an iota of enthusiasm. It's now affixed in a place of honor on my office bulletin board.
Darn, it's taking all the self-restraint I can muster NOT to send Coach Summitt another fan letter...
Diane Yukihiro Chang's column usually runs Monday and Friday.
She can be reached by phone at 525-8607, via e-mail at
dchang@starbulletin.com, or by fax at 523-7863.