Goodbye, Andre

Andre Agassi played his final professional match last weekend at the U.S. Open. During the long standing ovation he received and his brief, eloquent farewell speech, I couldn't stop the tears from flowing. It was sad to see such a remarkable tennis icon step off the court for the final time. But more than anything, I was moved by witnessing this last public chapter in Andre's amazing maturation from arrogant, aimless youth to selfless, philanthropic hero.\nAs I soaked up every tribute I could find about Agassi's career after his loss, it struck me how beneficial his perspective on life might be for navigating through college life. So in honor of his brilliant career, I compiled some "Agassi wisdom" to consider through your IU experience.\n"I don't take pride in my accomplishments," he said. "I take pride in the striving." He added: "The pride I take in everything I've experienced has to do with what I've poured into it, not necessarily what that experience was." Undoubtedly the college experience will be filled with ups and downs, with accomplishments and a few less-than-desirable outcomes. Be it essays or exams, relationships or organizational events, whatever the outcome, will you be proud that you poured yourself wholly into the experience?\nIn his post-match interview, Agassi said, "I think we can find excuses in life or we can find inspirations. I've always tried to find inspirations." It's often easier to find excuses, to shun responsibility. But rather than shunning accountability in a search for futile excuses, why not look for positive inspiration in yourself and others to help address and overcome any shortcomings and keep striving for improvements?\n"The scoreboard said I lost today, but what the scoreboard doesn't say is what it is I have found ... I have found loyalty ... I've found inspiration ... And I've found generosity," Agassi said between sobs in an emotional farewell speech. "You have given me your shoulders to stand on to reach for my dreams, dreams I could have never reached without you." But you don't have to be a tennis star to find such fan support. The IU community is stocked full of resources to help you reach your goals: fellow students, faculty, support services, RAs. Open yourself up to finding those resources and embracing their support.\nAnd finally, describing his relationship with tennis, Agassi said, "For me, it's been about trying to give more than I take." It's impossible to move through your time at IU without taking some remarkable lessons, but at the end of the journey, will you be able to say you've given as much, if not more, to the community?\nThanks, Andre, for 20 years of tennis memories and for setting an example for us to follow in all areas of life.