Arriving at the Event
It was a cool, crisp day as I made my way toward the Bryce Jordan Center for the Teammate for Life Alumni event. My purpose for coming was to meet with Char Morett-Curtis, who had reached out to me just the day before to check my availability. Since I was already planning to join the Aphasia students’ group at 2:15 PM, the 11:30 AM lunch timing worked out perfectly.
Embracing Conversation After Stroke
Living with aphasia has pushed me to seek out opportunities to engage in conversation with others. Before my stroke, initiating conversations and interacting with people was second nature—something I did with ease. However, things have changed since then, and now I have to make a conscious effort to connect and communicate in social situations.
When I arrived at the Bryce Jordan Center (BJC), the main arena on campus, it was difficult to tell where I was supposed to go. As I walked around to see if I could get into the building, I had no such luck. Just outside, I saw a young woman and asked if she knew how to get in. She replied, “It seems like we’re both trying to go to the same place, but I’m not sure where to enter either.” I decided to call Char Morett-Curtis, my colleague, who let me know that the event was being held on the other side of the Bryce Jordan Center’s
Meeting a New Friend from Track and Field
As I entered the Bryce Jordan Center, I introduced myself to the woman I just saw. We decided to walk over together since we were headed to the same place. Noticing her backpack, which had “Track and Field” written on it, I asked if she was on the track and field team. She confirmed that she was.
At this point, I felt comfortable enough to share a bit about myself. I explained that I have an issue with my language due to a stroke and told her about living with aphasia. She was understanding, and I continued the conversation by asking what her role was on the team. She told me she was a sprinter.
Curious about her background, I asked if she was from the area. She responded that she was from Canada and had just started at Penn State this semester after transferring from another NCAA college in Canada. I asked about her performance at the NCAAs, and she said she had finished in second place, which was impressive.
Thinking about her future in the sport, I asked if she was planning to compete in the Olympics in 2028. She laughed and said, “Hopefully,” but then shared that she had already competed at the Olympics in Paris in 2024. I was surprised and asked how she did. She told me she had finished sixth in the 4×100 relay. I congratulated her and told her how amazing that accomplishment was.
(Note: Later I went into internet and found that she won the 2025 World Athletic Relays – Mixed 4×100 metres relay in China on May 2025.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/st7IuKF1tlI?si=VNpkK0gSWo19m03f
Connecting Over Lunch and Shared Memories
Once we made our way into the building for lunch, I introduced my new friend to a group that included a friend of mine, one of her coaches, and another woman who played field hockey. Soon after, we received our name tags, and I finally learned my track and field companion’s name—Marie-Éloïse Leclair. Among the athletes present were Jenna Gearing, a niece of a friend I knew in college who serves as the Director of Operations for Track & Field, and Katelyn Strawser from Field Hockey. Together, we engaged in a lively discussion, sharing stories and listening to the event’s guests.
Reminiscing About the Penn Relays
During our conversation, I asked Marie and Jenna if they planned to attend the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, and they confirmed they would be going. I mentioned that I live just a few blocks away from the venue, and they kindly offered to secure tickets for me, which made me genuinely excited.
I shared a memory of the last time I attended the Penn Relays, which was back in 1971. At the time, legendary milers Marty Liquori and Jim Ryun were prominent figures, and my brother, who was a photographer at Villanova, joined me to capture photos of the event. Although I initially thought Liquori and Ryun competed against each other at the Penn Relays, I later discovered that their famous “Dream Mile” race actually took place on May 16, 1971, at the Martin Luther King International Freedom Games at Franklin Field in Philadelphia. Liquori won that race by a narrow margin, clocking 3:54.6 against Ryun’s 3:54.8. Their rivalry was notable, and Liquori had set records at the Penn Relays, including an exceptional anchor leg in the distance medley relay in 1967, which featured the fastest mile split in meet history at that time.
Olympic Connections and Sorority Memories
I also recounted attending a sorority formal, where my table included Mike Shine, who was dating a sorority member at the time. Mike Shine earlier had won a silver medal in the 400-meter hurdles at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Canada.
While sharing these stories, I found it challenging to recall all the names involved. The memories remained vivid, even as some details escaped me. Fortunately, with tools like iPhones, it’s easier now to look up information quickly by searching phrases such as “biggest miler in the Penn Relays” or “Penn State track at Olympics in Canada.”
Reflecting on a Memorable Day
Overall, it was a wonderful day filled with engaging conversations and the opportunity to meet many friendly new faces.
Information
Teammates For Life – https://gopsusports.com/teammatesforlife
OUR MISSION
Connecting Generations, Empowering Champions
Teammates For Life is a Penn State Women’s Athletics Initiative fueled by a powerful mission: to generate opportunities for the success of incoming, current, and alumnae Penn State female athletes by celebrating, elevating, and engaging decades of successful Penn State women.
Through Teammates For Life, we are building a supportive community that propels our athletes to new heights of success, fostering lasting relationships and paving the way for professional success.
