Bruce Jenner suffers from dyslexia. That had a lot to do with him enrolling at tiny Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa in 1968. You see despite Jenner’s athletic prowess his academic issues kept him out all colleges in his native Connecticut. He came to Graceland as part of an effort to recruit east coast kids by the school.
Anyone think Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner could have been a Presby?
He came to the Iowa school to play football. His scholarship was $250.00!
Unfortunately Jenner blew out a knee and after a year of rehab thought his career was over, but legendary
track coach L.D. Weldon introduced him to track and more importantly the decathlon. His work ethic was exceptional and he won the multi-event at the KU Relays in 1971. He made the U. S. Olympic team in 1972 finishing 10th in Munich, but came back four years later and became the “World’s Greatest Athlete” winning the decathlon in Montreal.
Jenner was married for 23 years to Kris (Kardashian) Jenner; the couple and their children appeared in 2007 on the reality TV series “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” Following their divorce in 2015, Jenner came out as a “trans-woman” and, in June of this year changed her name to Caitlyn.
As you can imagine this was big news at Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa where the Bruce Jenner Athletic Complex remains today.
Interestingly Jenner has not been a big donor at Gaceland despite the fact the school helped him find his athletic identity.
Several of his former coaches said in a recent story in the Kansas City Star they would fight any attempts to have Jenner’s name removed from the complex. They also said they would oppose an attempt to change the name to Caitlyn Jenner Athletic Complex.
One of the old coaches said he’s uncertain how he would address Jenner should they meet again. He said “I’m hoping Bruce is Bruce and Caitlyn is Bruce.” He wondered would she say “Hey Duke” and give him a hug or just not know him?
The Graceland College connection is interesting and suggests Jenner was once a pretty common student. Today she is the ccnter of a lot of attention. Attention she may or may not desire, but if there is another reality show based on Jenner’s life – well, I’ll have my answer!.
As for the upcoming ESPY’s giving Jenner the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage – I am not one to think this makes sense. Like many others my opinion is there are many people more deserving this award than Caitlyn Jenner.
There’s something to think about an d I’m Steve Sauder.
