Life As A Keynote Speaker: Sharing The Stage With Bret Bielema, The Big Coach On Campus

People love to ask me about my life as a keynote speaker and who I get to meet in my travels.  Yesterday, I had the pleasure of sharing a stage with Bret Bielema, head coach of the University of Wisconsin football team.  We were speaking for the Wisconsin Broadcasters (radio and TV) at the gorgeous Grand Geneva Resort, so he was just a BIT more well-known than I . . .

He was a wonderful speaker to boot, and I gave him my “Necessary Roughness” book.  He went to college at my alma mater, University of Iowa, and got his first coaching job there under the great Hayden Fry, whom Bret said was “one of the greatest men” he’s ever met.  He said Wisconsin puts emphasis on recruiting “good kids,” who respect their mom and all women (I loved that).  He warns young people not to do things they may regret.

While at Iowa, he had a tattoo done on the back of his left lower calf, and now, at Wisconsin, makes sure it’s covered up by a sock at all times!

One silver lining to the NFL lockout is that some of the players are on his campus working out!  It is Day 101, and things are optimistic, according to sports reports.  Are we ready for some football?  I know I am!