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Talent, hard work, support group needed for success, Tressel tells Campbell students
By Sarah Lehr
campbell
Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel spoke to Campbell Memorial High School students while decked out in red and black.
The colors, he explained Tuesday afternoon, were intended to show support both for Campbell and YSU.
The speech urged healthy choices and outlined Tressel’s steps for success.
Tressel, a former Ohio State University football coach and a native of Mentor, expressed his pride in the region, stating, “One thing I can tell you about Northeast Ohio is we’re made of the right stuff. ... It’s in our DNA.”
But innate talent is not enough, Tressel warned.
“Nothing extraordinary was ever achieved without hard work,” Tressel said. “We always tell our guys, ‘If you want a place in the sun, expect blisters.’”
A few of Tressel’s other tips included having faith in oneself and finding the right support group.
“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future,” he said.
On a more practical level, Tressel advised the students against getting into debt either from credit cards or student loans.
“Do not at a young age, get behind the eight-ball of debt,” he said. “I have personally seen it negatively affect so many people’s lives.”
Jacquelyn Hampton, principal at Campbell Memorial High School, described Tressel’s visit as a “phenomenal opportunity for our students.”
Administrators with YSU’s Health Professions Affinity Community program accompanied Tressel to the speech. The program, funded by a HealthPath Foundation of Ohio grant, enables high-school students to explore careers in health and medicine.
“We are so blessed to have YSU choose us as a partner,” Hampton said. “Not many schools have programs like this.”
Senior Sherrial Swiney, who is one of about 30 students participating in HPAC, described the program as a “hands-on experience.” This year’s area of study is child abuse and neglect, Swiney said.