Indiana University Athletics
Sudfeld Shines at 2015 B1G Kickoff Luncheon
8/1/2015 12:33:00 AM | Football
Senior quarterback closes out B1G Media Days with sterling speech
Speech | Social | Day 1 Photos | Day 2 Photos // Media: Sights & Sounds | Wilson | Rayner | Spriggs | Sudfeld |
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
CHICAGO - Nate Sudfeld earned the country's attention for his play on the football field. Now, he's trying to use his influence to help others.
The Indiana senior quarterback joined Ohio State linebacker Joshua Perry in addressing a crowd of just under 2,000 fans, colleagues and media members Friday at the Big Ten's 44th Kickoff Luncheon.
A well-rehearsed Sudfeld didn't miss a beat in his roughly six minute speech after spending the better part of the last two weeks rehearsing in his Bloomington home and around the football facilities.
Sudfeld admitted he was "a little nervous" before taking to the podium, but he quickly found his confidence on stage. He left Chicago happy with the way his speech was accepted and hoped he gave the audience advice to reflect on.
"I just thought, 'What's the really important thing I want to get across?' Then I wrote my speech around that," Sudfeld said afterward. "I was pretty pleased with how it came out. It was fun to be at the podium and representing the players."
Sudfeld rarely looked down at his notes, speaking with poise as he shared stories of his time at Indiana and the impact of his work with Assist International, a humanitarian organization founded by his grandfather.
Sudfeld narrowed his speech topic by first mapping out what he thought was important to share and then cutting back as best he could.
At one point, he said he had about 30 different ideas before cutting his speech to fit into the allotted time he was given.
Reflecting on his speech, Sudfeld said he hoped people listening took away two major pieces of advice.
First, he wanted to remind the audience that many of the football players representing their schools at the Big Ten media days wouldn't have been there without the help of others.
He wanted to thank those who helped him get to Indiana and hoped others would do the same.
Second, he wanted to stress that athletes have a platform to help people in need, and it's their duty as influential people to do all they can to help others.
Sudfeld told the audience he learned the benefits and thrill of helping others first hand in his trip to Uganda as a 14-year-old and again during his trip back to Uganda over his 2015 spring break.
"Why do I have so much, and they have so little? That experience partly shaped my world view," Sudfeld said in his speech. "To appreciate what I have and to see it as my responsibility to make the most of my opportunities. It's important not only to recognize that we stand on the shoulders of others, but also to give back and to make the most of the platform we've been given. Otherwise, we can lose perspective."
Sudfeld's own perspective that he's gained through his journeys both playing football and with Assist International continue to shape him.
The Modesto, Calif. native said he was intimidated by the football crowds packing Memorial Stadium to watch him as a freshman, but he's gotten used to the pressure. He's since realized how much of an impact he can make thanks to that same spotlight that once left him nervous.
"We have a unique opportunity, and quite frankly, the responsibility to use the platform we've been given to touch the lives around us," Sudfeld said. "From our local communities, all the way to the furthest regions of Africa, and everywhere in between."
"I'm looking forward to playing against the majority of you this fall," Sudfeld concluded. "What a ride we're on, and we're just getting started. Thank you, and Go IU!"