2008 Woodie Awards
Super Bowl coach speaks at SHU
NFL's Tony Dungy presents "Diversity on the Field and Off"
Kaitlin O'Reilly
Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: News
Students, faculty and members of the community filled the Edgerton Center of Performing Arts on Tuesday, Feb. 19 to hear the Indianapolis Colts' head coach, Tony Dungy, present his lecture, "Diversity On The Field And Off." Dungy became the first African-American head coach to win the Super Bowl last year in his victory against the Chicago Bears.
"He's a man of integrity and I was excited to hear what he had to say," said sophomore Sean Bennet.
The sold out event was preceded by an opportunity for members of the Sacred Heart community to have dinner with Dungy.
Junior Mike Tarantino was one of the students who was able to participate in the dinner.
"When you actually sit down and talk with him he's really down to earth. There is a lot more to him than just the coach you see on the TV and the coach you see on the sidelines. He's very rooted in his faith and he has kept the same values," said Tarantino. "We went back and forth from football to faith questions and just simple stuff like what's your favorite thing to do besides football."
"They were a very impressive group," said Dungy.
Members of the media also gathered before the lecture for a brief press conference. Most notably, The Connecticut Post's sports columnist, Chris Elsberry, and 1350 WNLK Norwalk sports talk radio personality, Matt Levine, were present.
In the lecture, Dungy spoke about the increase in diversity that has transpired over the years in society. He particularly spoke about the alteration that has occurred within the NFL.
"We have made progress and change in the NFL. We have come a long way," said Dungy.
"He's a great coach, a great public speaker and a great motivator," said sophomore Billy O'Brien.
The famous football coach made a comparison between football and business.
"Business is very similar to football. The critical elements are the same no matter how you look at it," said Dungy. "The most critical thing in our business is to have everyone on the same page."
"He's a man of integrity and I was excited to hear what he had to say," said sophomore Sean Bennet.
The sold out event was preceded by an opportunity for members of the Sacred Heart community to have dinner with Dungy.
Junior Mike Tarantino was one of the students who was able to participate in the dinner.
"When you actually sit down and talk with him he's really down to earth. There is a lot more to him than just the coach you see on the TV and the coach you see on the sidelines. He's very rooted in his faith and he has kept the same values," said Tarantino. "We went back and forth from football to faith questions and just simple stuff like what's your favorite thing to do besides football."
"They were a very impressive group," said Dungy.
Members of the media also gathered before the lecture for a brief press conference. Most notably, The Connecticut Post's sports columnist, Chris Elsberry, and 1350 WNLK Norwalk sports talk radio personality, Matt Levine, were present.
In the lecture, Dungy spoke about the increase in diversity that has transpired over the years in society. He particularly spoke about the alteration that has occurred within the NFL.
"We have made progress and change in the NFL. We have come a long way," said Dungy.
"He's a great coach, a great public speaker and a great motivator," said sophomore Billy O'Brien.
The famous football coach made a comparison between football and business.
"Business is very similar to football. The critical elements are the same no matter how you look at it," said Dungy. "The most critical thing in our business is to have everyone on the same page."
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