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Post by Dave L on Apr 14, 2015 13:49:27 GMT -8
I would like to share a quick story with all of you...that you are all apart of. I had never intended to share this but I thought it was important today...especially when I think we all need to be reminded sometimes of why we love being part of this Aztec community and Aztec Nation. That...and this gentleman's story has become public and published in his newspaper. I also post this with absolutely no permission from those involved. I have the feeling...and hope they won't mind. Our friend Wayne (wayno503) sent me a PM back on February 12. Wayne has a good friend and fellow Aztec For Life up in Portland with him who had just got blindsided that very day with a diagnosis of brain cancer. Wayne said Bruce was a huge basketball fan and would it be at all possible to get him a signed basketball? Of course I said I would make it happen...then frantically texted him to not say it was going to happen because honestly...I had no idea if I could get it done. I emailed three people that Thursday night (good to have a large net). I didn't want to bother the team because they were playing that Saturday and taking off for New Mexico on Monday. I didn't hear back from anyone on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Oh crap...was I putting people in a tough spot? While figuring out what to put in my next email...I was emailing/texting Wayne and doing some expectation management. I was telling him I really didn't expect to even hear back from people until Wednesday...because of the game at UNM on Tuesday. I was buying time. Sidebar: Wayne is a big shot news anchor in Portland with the ability to text while on the air. I know...because he was doing it while I was watching his broadcast live online. Now...back to the story.Monday morning I got an unexpected email from Jenn Brewton at SDSU (I had not emailed her). I did see that she was forwarded my email by Jim Sterk (I had emailed him) and he had asked her to "please take care of this for Dave on Monday". She was emailing me to let me know that she had. She had met up with the team that morning and got Coach Fisher and all of them to sign the ball for Bruce before heading to the airport. The ball was now waiting for me to pick up at the Aztec Club office. I asked twice while there if I could at least pay for the ball. They would not hear of it. I sent the ball up to Bruce with a note saying it was from all of us in the Aztec Club and that the team wanted him to have it and that we were all with him. I got a great email back from his daughter telling me how much the ball and gesture meant to him. I shared it with Wayne. This doesn't happen without our community here and our larger Aztec Nation. I have no idea if Bruce is a donor or a member of the Aztec Club. I never asked...no one did. It doesn't matter. If you are a poster here...you join Wayne, me, Jim, Jenn, the basketball team and the Aztec Club as cogs in the engine that got this ball in the hands of an Aztec For Life. It doesn't happen without this forum first. Don't one of you dare use a post or or spend a second patting me on the back. This is about feeling good about what we are all apart of...and being proud Aztecs For Life. If you have one extra minute...please read the short article Wayne sent me this morning. Bruce McCain was honored last week...it mentions he holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from San Diego State University: LINKSend Bruce some prayers and good thoughts. Even better...add making your next post on here something positive.
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Post by missiontrails on Apr 14, 2015 14:01:21 GMT -8
Thank you for sharing this Dave. Best wishes to Bruce and family.
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Post by AccessBowlTime on Apr 14, 2015 14:16:14 GMT -8
Warmest regards to Bruce and his family.
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Post by vision on Apr 14, 2015 14:26:31 GMT -8
great story. great character. I'm glad to be a member and Aztec for Life
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Post by AzTex on Apr 14, 2015 14:34:23 GMT -8
Don't one of you dare use a post or or spend a second patting me on the back. This is about feeling good about what we are all apart of...and being proud Aztecs For Life. OK, Dave. As you asked. With reluctance, no props for you. However I am extremely proud of the entire Athletic Department for making this happen. This is a case where there is no benefit to the University or anyone involved, but they still went out of their way to fulfill this request. Thank you for sharing.
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Post by halfnip on Apr 14, 2015 14:55:44 GMT -8
AZTEC(s) FOR LIFE.
Best wishes, Bruce!
#AztecNation
*Check the avatar. Yes, that's my real plate.
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Post by retiredaztec on Apr 14, 2015 15:10:17 GMT -8
I would like to share a quick story with all of you...that you are all apart of. I had never intended to share this but I thought it was important today...especially when I think we all need to be reminded sometimes of why we love being part of this Aztec community and Aztec Nation. That...and this gentleman's story has become public and published in his newspaper. I also post this with absolutely no permission from those involved. I have the feeling...and hope they won't mind. Our friend Wayne (wayno503) sent me a PM back on February 12. Wayne has a good friend and fellow Aztec For Life up in Portland with him who had just got blindsided that very day with a diagnosis of brain cancer. Wayne said Bruce was a huge basketball fan and would it be at all possible to get him a signed basketball? Of course I said I would make it happen...then frantically texted him to not say it was going to happen because honestly...I had no idea if I could get it done. I emailed three people that Thursday night (good to have a large net). I didn't want to bother the team because they were playing that Saturday and taking off for New Mexico on Monday. I didn't hear back from anyone on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Oh crap...was I putting people in a tough spot? While figuring out what to put in my next email...I was emailing/texting Wayne and doing some expectation management. I was telling him I really didn't expect to even hear back from people until Wednesday...because of the game at UNM on Tuesday. I was buying time. Sidebar: Wayne is a big shot news anchor in Portland with the ability to text while on the air. I know...because he was doing it while I was watching his broadcast live online. Now...back to the story.Monday morning I got an unexpected email from Jenn Brewton at SDSU (I had not emailed her). I did see that she was forwarded my email by Jim Sterk (I had emailed him) and he had asked her to "please take care of this for Dave on Monday". She was emailing me to let me know that she had. She had met up with the team that morning and got Coach Fisher and all of them to sign the ball for Bruce before heading to the airport. The ball was now waiting for me to pick up at the Aztec Club office. I asked twice while there if I could at least pay for the ball. They would not hear of it. I sent the ball up to Bruce with a note saying it was from all of us in the Aztec Club and that the team wanted him to have it and that we were all with him. I got a great email back from his daughter telling me how much the ball and gesture meant to him. I shared it with Wayne. This doesn't happen without our community here and our larger Aztec Nation. I have no idea if Bruce is a donor or a member of the Aztec Club. I never asked...no one did. It doesn't matter. If you are a poster here...you join Wayne, me, Jim, Jenn, the basketball team and the Aztec Club as cogs in the engine that got this ball in the hands of an Aztec For Life. It doesn't happen without this forum first. Don't one of you dare use a post or or spend a second patting me on the back. This is about feeling good about what we are all apart of...and being proud Aztecs For Life. If you have one extra minute...please read the short article Wayne sent me this morning. Bruce McCain was honored last week...it mentions he holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from San Diego State University: LINKSend Bruce some prayers and good thoughts. Even better...add making your next post on here something positive. A very inspirational story. As a cancer survivor, , (and fellow Aztec for life), I'm especially moved when exposed to stories of those with similar challenges. I must say, I sincerely admire your passion and commitment to your relationship with "Aztec Nation". Though I can't promise my next post will be necessarily "positive" as it relates to Aztec football, anytime the subject of cancer is brought up, I see it as another opportunity to shout from the roof tops, GET YOUR PHYSICALS AND CANCER SCREENINGS! I'm seven years on this side of the grass mainly because my excellent team of doctors discovered the cancer EARLY. Though cancer isn't as yet curable, the earlier it is caught, the better odds for successful treatments and longer life spans. And for those of you hesitant to be your own best friends, just because you don't want to know, doesn't mean you don't have it. And if it's caught too late, it's pretty much game over. Personally, as my life has pretty much changed forever, (checkups, scans and such on a regular basis), given my commitment to diet and exercise, I've never felt better. As for Bruce, I wish him nothing but the very best.
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Post by wayno503 on Apr 14, 2015 15:34:03 GMT -8
I was so thrilled to be able to make Bruce smile for a little while with all that he was facing. Dave make it all happen so quickly and he knew we were up against the clock. I offered to pay several times to Dave for shipping. He wouldn't hear of it. The type of cancer Bruce has is extremely aggressive, yet he's been a positive force through it all. As the article says, he's hoping to make it to May. If he does, then June. We're all rooting for him. Thanks Aztec Nation and the Aztec Athletic Dept. for doing something for one of their own. I was astonished at how quickly it all came together, but not surprised by the loyalty they all displayed. Go Aztecs!!!
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Post by 78aztec82 on Apr 14, 2015 15:48:57 GMT -8
I appreciate the type of effort my good friends Dave and Wayne did for a fellow Aztec without any hesitation. The little things matter to those faced with this kind of news and they pulled out the stops to brighten his day.
They are fine representatives of our Aztec family and are emblematic of many we are fortunate to game on our roles. Too Dave and Wayne, thank you brothers for the effort and sentiment. God bless Bruce and to his caregivers. Give them hell!
Go Aztecs!
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Post by tonatiuh on Apr 14, 2015 21:32:38 GMT -8
Don't one of you dare use a post or or spend a second patting me on the back. This is about feeling good about what we are all apart of...and being proud Aztecs For Life. OK, Dave. As you asked. With reluctance, no props for you. However I am extremely proud of the entire Athletic Department for making this happen. This is a case where there is no benefit to the University or anyone involved, but they still went out of their way to fulfill this request. Thank you for sharing. You know AzTex, there is actually some great benefit to all involved in this. First, Bruce gets the tremendous positive feeling inside from those who went to the trouble to make him feel better! Then, even though San Diego State does not receive any compensation for the basketball they reap tons of good will & admiration for what they contributed. And, Dave, Wayne, the Athletic Dept. team which includes Fisher, the secretary, and team members who autographed the ball to send their best wishes to an Aztec For Life all receive extremely warm feelings in their heart for the outporing of love they showed to a fellow Aztec. Those are the highest, and most positive feelings you can ever have or receive. That is a great benefit for all! I add my best wishes to Bruce, and my prayers also.
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Post by AzTex on Apr 14, 2015 21:44:22 GMT -8
OK, Dave. As you asked. With reluctance, no props for you. However I am extremely proud of the entire Athletic Department for making this happen. This is a case where there is no benefit to the University or anyone involved, but they still went out of their way to fulfill this request. Thank you for sharing. You know AzTex, there is actually some great benefit to all involved in this. First, Bruce gets the tremendous positive feeling inside from those who went to the trouble to make him feel better! Then, even though San Diego State does not receive any compensation for the basketball they reap tons of good will & admiration for what they contributed. And, Dave, Wayne, the Athletic Dept. team which includes Fisher, the secretary, and team members who autographed the ball to send their best wishes to an Aztec For Life all receive extremely warm feelings in their heart for the outporing of love they showed to a fellow Aztec. Those are the highest, and most positive feelings you can ever have or receive. That is a great benefit for all! I add my best wishes to Bruce, and my prayers also. Yes, all those involved did receive the benefits you described. But, I hope you realized I was talking about no one receiving monitory or personal accolades type of benefits or even expecting these types of benefits. I'm sure no one involved even expected any outsiders to hear what they did. I read everything I can regarding the Aztecs and had not heard about it. I'm just very proud to know we have these kind of people representing San Diego State University. These are the people I want to be associated with.
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Post by tonatiuh on Apr 14, 2015 21:49:05 GMT -8
Same here. It only makes those involved with the University, and individually look like caring individuals.
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Post by pbaztec17 on Apr 14, 2015 21:58:56 GMT -8
Well plAyed aztecs
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Post by aztecfili on Apr 14, 2015 22:24:41 GMT -8
Great story.
Take that, whiny bitches.
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Post by Azthetic on Apr 15, 2015 7:55:29 GMT -8
As a survivor of over 10 years, these types of stories are especially moving. What truly matters with our time here is to love. Find things we care about and support them with all of our hearts. Live with passion and enjoy each moment, even the tough stuff. Go Aztecs!
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Post by aztecsiggy on Apr 15, 2015 16:11:30 GMT -8
As I wipe the tears from my eyes and say a special prayer, I am honored to be associated with such beautiful people. Thank you and Go Aztecs!
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Post by adammclane on Apr 15, 2015 16:18:17 GMT -8
Love this!
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Post by uncledougy on Apr 15, 2015 20:21:01 GMT -8
Seems to me that Sterk deserves a fair share of credit for getting that done. Judging from the post, it appears he said "please take care of this for Dave on Monday".....and it got done (on Monday).....
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Post by sdsustoner on Apr 16, 2015 6:53:05 GMT -8
Sorry Dave, I have to tell you what a great thing you did. Yes, you had a ton of support and it took a village to accomplish, but you are the guy who got it started.
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Post by sdsustoner on Apr 16, 2015 6:55:46 GMT -8
I was so thrilled to be able to make Bruce smile for a little while with all that he was facing. Dave make it all happen so quickly and he knew we were up against the clock. I offered to pay several times to Dave for shipping. He wouldn't hear of it. The type of cancer Bruce has is extremely aggressive, yet he's been a positive force through it all. As the article says, he's hoping to make it to May. If he does, then June. We're all rooting for him. Thanks Aztec Nation and the Aztec Athletic Dept. for doing something for one of their own. I was astonished at how quickly it all came together, but not surprised by the loyalty they all displayed. Go Aztecs!!! Thank you. You guys make me proud to be an Aztec.
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