Back in the late 1980's and early 1990's my wife, Angie, worked at Wheaton College. She started in the Advancement Office (fund raising) and then moved to become the secretary of the English Department. While working in the Advancement Office she often interacted with the student workers. One of them was Graham Roxburgh.
Graham graduated from Wheaton in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Biblical Studies. He went on to work with Athletes In Action, a group that uses the medium of sport to bring God's Word to the people of the world.
Graham is now the Head Coach of Women's Soccer at Trinity Western University. According to his CV page, he's done quite well for himself, bringing home a CIS National Championship, winning a few Canada West Gold Medals and, well, coaching effectively.
He's still involved with Athletes In Action, traveling with teams around the globe.
I don't remember Graham that well. I didn't interact with many of the students even though I worked at Wheaton for a few years. Angie's not home right now so I can't ask her to tell any stories. Maybe she'll leave a comment.
UPDATE: Angie just made it home. I asked her about Graham. Apparently we had him over for Thanksgiving in the early 1990's. I don't remember that at all. Sorry, Graham. And he also has a gift for fundraising via the telephone. This one I remember, but that story isn't for me to tell.
Angie here. . . .the moral of Graham's fundraising story is simple: Make sure you completely hang up the phone if you decide to play a practical joke.
ReplyDeleteIn the midst of the college's phonathon fundraising effort, Graham (then a student) called an alumnus of the college, and was unable to reach them. After leaving a message on their answering machine, he hung up (or so he thought) and proceeded to leave a fake message for the benefit of his fellow workers. In this fake message, he thanked the gracious donors for their multi-thousand dollar gift, and for telling him that he was the greatest fundraiser in the history of Wheaton College.
. . . it was then that he heard the beep.
His entire prank message had been recorded - and in a plot similar to that of Jerry Seinfeld or Chandler Bing - he suddenly realized that the alumnus was going to hear every word of his over-the-top message left on their machine.
Yep - it send a chill up my spine when I think about how he must have felt when he heard that beep.
We can laugh about it now. Graham? Not sure, but I assume he would laugh about it now.
Funny.
ReplyDeleteNot fun to go through, but a great story.
Hi Mark,
ReplyDeleteJanis - Graham's wife here....thought i would let you know that Graham does laugh at this story now! He recently told it at our mission group when we were discussing most embarrassing moments!...happened upon your site and finding it hard to believe how time has passed. Graham is a great husband, daddy to 4 kids and a coach who has won 3 National Championships (these last 2 back to back) and was Head coach of Canada's Women Soccer team at the World University Games last summer in Belgrade...Graham is still full-time with Athletes in Action (17 years now!...(Head Coach for TWU for 10years) as it fits so well with the AIA mandate. If you were to ask Graham what makes his heart sing....it is not the rings on his fingers but the changed lives of his players! Another recently came to faith...check out Kaleigh’s story here: www.bcdailybuzz.com/media/5379/A_shaved_head_for_Chemotherapy
anyway i can't wait to have a moment to check out the rest of your blog!
For Christ and HIS Kingdom,
Janis Roxburgh
Janis,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by.
The link you left didn't connect properly.
Here's one that does: http://bit.ly/Shaved_Heads.
Do tell Graham "hi" and we send our love.