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Jay Wilkinson was a standout high
school athlete in his home town of Norman, OK,
also home to the University of Oklahoma, where
Bud Wilkinson had already claimed three national
championships. Yet, Jay opted to play his college
football elsewhere, at Duke University in Durham,
North Carolina.
With his son far from home, Bud
reached out to Jay in advance of his first spring
practice at Duke. In the letter, the elder Wilkinson
not only offered encouragement, but also spoke
of a new opportunity which h ad come his way.
2/17/1961 - Thursday
Dear Jay,
I was sorry I missed your
call last night. I had to be in Muskogee for
the Annual QB Club Banquet. I'm on my way now
to Grand Rapids, Michigan for our second Coaching
School.
Congratulations on pledging
Phi Delt. It is a fine fraternity nationally
- and from all I've heard - it is without doubt
the best at Duke. I can imagine the pressures
you were subjected to, but I hope they weren't
too tough. While I know it wasn't always pleasant,
such things are fine and profitable experiences.
Does Spring Practice begin
on Tuesday? Mother couldn't recall exactly what
you had said. Don't worry about not being in
good enough shape - what position you'll play
- or whether you'll make the team. Simply do
your dead level best every single day at practice
- make your continued best effort - be tough
- and everything will work out perfectly. I'll
be anxious to hear about it .
I have a problem which is
surprising and difficult. Yesterday, a man named
Ted Reardon called me from the White House and
asked me, on behalf of the President, to become
the Executive Director for Youth Fitness. This
would be a Presidential appointment. I would
be working under Secretary Rubicoff, who is
the Cabinet Officer of Health, Recreation and
Welfare.
There is no doubt that it
is a fine opportunity to make a contribution
for a cause in which I believe, but if I accept
I will probably have to give up my job at Oklahoma,
move to Washington, make only 1/3 as much money
while residing in a far more expense place,
and then be out of a job in four or eight years
when we have a new President.
It is an honor to be even
considered for such a position. I'm going to
Washington after the Clinics to talk with Mr.
Reardon about it. I'll call you when I know
a little more as I would like to know what you
think before I accept or refuse. In the meantime,
please don't tell anybody.
Everything else seems to
be coming along quite well. Mom's back in OK
- our recruiting is going quite well - we had
fairly good scholastic grades by our players
last semester. I'm anxious to see our new men
in Spring Practice.
We received your grades
from Duke today. I was truly proud - and you
should be too. Keep up the good work.
We'll talk to you soon.
Love always,
Dad
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