Success and winning have always been important in my life. The thrill of competition and the need to measure my prowess against others have been key motivators for me. My philosophy has always been that anything worth having is worth fighting for. Every worthy goal has obstacles that simply present another opportunity to overcome. Determination, hard work, and an unwavering focus would always bring me the victory.

My father was my first, and best, coach. He taught me all about sports and spent his time helping me learn the essentials of success. He was a gifted athlete himself, and knew first-hand what it would take for me to achieve my goals. He taught me that my very best effort on each and every occasion was the elementary foundation for success.

By the time I became a Junior at Buchser High School in Santa Clara California I knew that Id have a chance to fulfill my dream of becoming a professional athlete. I was a football, basketball, and baseball star who attracted a great deal of attention from college scouts. By the Spring of 1971 I had over 100 scholarship...