Nine-time Olympic gold medalist and former UH athlete Carl Lewis announced his bid to run for the Legislature in his home state of New Jersey yesterday.
Lewis will run as a Democrat, but regardless of what his campaign points will be, The Daily Cougar staff would like to applaud Lewis for making an effort to branch outside of his comfort zone. For Lewis, he is entering a new kind of competition that he is not accustomed to and attempting to make a difference.
Venturing into the world of politics after a career in sports is not an easy transition, and in some cases, can become more of a media circus instead of a legitimate campaign or term.
“I’ll be an independent thinker all the way through,” Lewis said after his announcement. “I will do what I think is right; I’m going to always look at the issues and vote that way.”
Before announcing his run, Lewis was involved with a variety of causes and responsibilities. He established a website, fitforever.com, that encourages people to engage in physical activities and live healthier. He is a volunteer assistant track coach at both of his alma maters, UH and Willingboro High School. He has even appeared in a number of Hollywood films and television shows.
One of the many mottos of the UH athletics department is “building champions for life.” Lewis has embodied that phrase long before it was used as a catchy mission statement. Current students should follow in the path of Lewis, and let their own voices be heard. If you feel as if you could bring about positive change to a particular institution, you should follow through with it.
Lewis has demonstrated a spirit that the right attitude can allow you to take on a multitude of different obstacles in your career. He is not cocky, but sure of himself. Receiving an education at UH should give all current and former students the confidence that they are capable of living out bold career goals. So go out there and make whatever you aspire to achieve happen.