2008 Woodie Awards
Bob Anastas Speaks the Truth
Former Director of SADD Addresses UCM On the Steps to Success
Lindsey Moorehead/for the Muleskinner
Issue date: 9/28/06 Section: Features
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Nearly every seat in the W.C. Morris auditorium was filled. In all, almost 600 UCM student-athletes were assembled together, and all eyes were focused on the man pacing purposefully across the front of the room.
At 64, Bob Anastas, the founder and former executive director of Students Against Driving Drunk (SADD), commanded the room. With the pipes of a former coach and the experience of a two-sport All-American drafted by the New England Patriots, Anastas knows how to reach his audience.
For more than 20 years, Anastas has zigzagged across the world, talking with more than two million students about the importance of making responsible decisions.
Tuesday, Anastas presented his newest program, "Check Into A Winning Life," sponsored by the local Anheuser-Busch distributor.
The program showed students how to be successful by following four simple steps: Run when others walk; sleep when others party; take your weakness and make it your strength; and keep your body under control at all times.
In essence, Anastas' message can be boiled down to one idea.
"Your destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice," Anastas said. "You will choose where you are going."
Beth Rutt, director of campus activities, said Anastas' simple, direct approach was well received with the student-athletes she spoke with after the presentation. Rutt said she anticipates students who take time to think about Anastas' words will begin to change their attitudes and behaviors.
"He put it into perspective for the athletes that you have to focus," Rutt said. "It's so easy for all of us to follow the crowd, but his message says it's okay to be an individual. You have to make decisions for yourself in order to be successful."
Anastas, who has certainly employed his four-step strategy in his own life, is today a well-respected and successful motivational speaker. However, Anastas never set out to travel the world to crusade against drunk driving.
At 64, Bob Anastas, the founder and former executive director of Students Against Driving Drunk (SADD), commanded the room. With the pipes of a former coach and the experience of a two-sport All-American drafted by the New England Patriots, Anastas knows how to reach his audience.
For more than 20 years, Anastas has zigzagged across the world, talking with more than two million students about the importance of making responsible decisions.
Tuesday, Anastas presented his newest program, "Check Into A Winning Life," sponsored by the local Anheuser-Busch distributor.
The program showed students how to be successful by following four simple steps: Run when others walk; sleep when others party; take your weakness and make it your strength; and keep your body under control at all times.
In essence, Anastas' message can be boiled down to one idea.
"Your destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice," Anastas said. "You will choose where you are going."
Beth Rutt, director of campus activities, said Anastas' simple, direct approach was well received with the student-athletes she spoke with after the presentation. Rutt said she anticipates students who take time to think about Anastas' words will begin to change their attitudes and behaviors.
"He put it into perspective for the athletes that you have to focus," Rutt said. "It's so easy for all of us to follow the crowd, but his message says it's okay to be an individual. You have to make decisions for yourself in order to be successful."
Anastas, who has certainly employed his four-step strategy in his own life, is today a well-respected and successful motivational speaker. However, Anastas never set out to travel the world to crusade against drunk driving.
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