Colorado State University Athletics
Gardner Visits With CSU Football Team
4/3/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 3, 2006
Olympic wrestling champion Rulon Gardner told Colorado State University's football team his goal wasn't to win medals.
"My goal was not to win a medal," he told nearly 100 members of the team, plus Coach Sonny Lubick and members of his staff Monday afternoon.
"My goal was to do my best."
Gardner won a gold medal in 2000 in Sydney and four years later retired after winning a bronze medal in Athens in establishing himself as the greatest Greco-Roman wrestler in United States history. He said his career was based on seven steps he's used throughout his life.
Gardner said starting with the basic fundamentals has been critical to his success.
"Getting back to basics helps you become a champion through hard work and discipline. When I commit to doing something, I do it to the best of my ability."
His second step was turning negative situations into positive outcomes.
"You have to believe in yourself, and use that energy to train."
Third, said Gardner, is enlisting others, followed by making a commitment to success.
"I never gave up on myself," he told the gathering. "I never wanted to fail in my life. I learned how to deal with pressure."
Gardner then followed that by taking care of business.
"I competed with my heart, my mind and my spirit," he said.
Gardner overcame tall odds to earn a spot on the Olympic team in 2000, let alone earning a medal. He said that was due in part to aiming high when you are feeling low, the sixth step of his plan.
Lastly, he said, don't be spoiled by success and rest on past laurels.
Following his 35-minute talk, the native of Afton, Wyo., spent several minutes visiting with CSU players, along with Lubick and his staff.
Gardner was in Fort Collins Monday, speaking to a local Boy Scout fund raising event in the morning, then visiting an elementary school later in the day. He then met with CSU's football team, which returns to spring practice Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m.
