My name is Dan Sampson. This month I graduated from college with a BS in Material Science Engineering from Penn State University and a BS in Physics from Bloomsburg University. Starting work the Monday after graduation, I've learned there is still a lot to learn.

I don't particularly like talking about my personal experiences but I hope my story helps at least one person. In 2008 when I was 14 years old, I fell off my bicycle while on vacation. I broke my neck and became a quadriplegic. I was permanently paralyzed from the chest down. I lost use of my hands and triceps. I spent months in the hospital, almost losing my life a few times along the way.

I kept up my education while still hospitalized. Thanks to an excellent tutor, I returned to school ahead of my class. I went to school in the morning, and worked out at a gym designed for the spinal cord injured. These sessions lasted about 4 hours each 4 days a week. I still train with the same PT and the same Exercise Physiologist. They are great at what they do and I am grateful to them. After working out, I ate a quick dinner and started homework. Not because I was so diligent, but because I wanted to get work out of the way. My parents supported my efforts and expected me to try my best. I started to drive a specially modified van when I was 17 and gained my first taste of freedom and independence. After attending college while living at home, I transferred to Penn State. I needed assistance, but finally was able to start living on my own.

Wrestling as a kid in elementary school, I learned some valuable lessions. The first is that hard work will be uncomfortable. If you are not uncomfortable, you probably aren't working hard enough. Secondly, you make your own good luck through effort. Good things do not normally fall into your lap. Most importantly, you must never give up. Always move forward with integrity. Never consider quitting. I have been blessed with a good family, but no matter how blessed you are, if you quit trying you have misused those blessings.

I hope this letter encourages boys and girls to participate in wrestling with all of their best effort. No matter how great of an athlete you turn out to be, you will never regret trying your best. I hope parents and coaches are encouraged to do their best as well. Kids are influenced by you more than you possibly can imagine.

Thank you for your time and thank you for trying to make the sport of wrestling available for all kids.

Sincerely,
Dan

My new journey into college wrestling has been both extremely challenging and rewarding. I have found a lot of success in my first year at Western State Colorado University. While I am a redshirt wrestler this year, I have had the opportunity to compete in a number of open tournaments in Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas. I have managed to place in a number of tournaments as well as battle my way up to the second position on the team depth chart at 174 pounds. I have also found success in the class room, having decided to pursue a degree in Pre-Medicine in hopes of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. Wrestling in college has given me a new perspective on the meaning of perseverance and hard work, both in the class room and on the mat. An attribute that Tyrone demonstrated in his life. This new chapter of my life has truly allowed me to expand my horizons and develop myself as a person who strives to live with the upmost character and integrity.

Having heard many amazing stories about Tyrone, from those that were close to him, it is clear to me that he was a man who exemplified the highest degree of bravery, loyalty, and grit. Wrestling taught me that to be the best, you must emulate the best. Tyrone was clearly a man of the highest caliber, who should be emulated in every aspect of life. For that reason, receiving the Inaugural Tyrone S. Woods Memorial Trophy was one of the biggest honors I have ever received. I am extremely humbled and grateful for the opportunity to be the first name on that trophy and the experiences it has led to. I am constantly amazed by the number of people that I have met that ask me about winning the award, and about Tyrone. Meeting Tyrone's family and friends, and being able to share in their stories has been one of the biggest blessing from the whole experience. Though I never personally met Tyrone Woods, I believe I know him. To me, the Tyrone S. Woods Memorial Trophy represents the value of living your life by the highest moral standard, and exhibiting true courage, grit and determination in the face of challenges in all aspects of life. This is the way Tyrone lived, this is the way Tyrone gave his life for our country, and this is the way we should all remember Tyrone Woods.

I would like to give a heartfelt thank you to the Tyrone S. Woods Foundation for the experience they have given me, and to Cheryl in particular for sharing her amazing stories and memories of Tyrone with me. I have the picture of Tyrone given to me by Cheryl and Kirk sitting on my desk at college as a daily reminder to exhibit the same kind of courage and passion for life that Tyrone exhibited. My experience with the Foundation has inspired me to push myself passed where I am comfortable and to attack life with a passion and determination that I believe would make Tyrone proud, for that I am truly grateful. I am excited for next recipient of the Tyrone Woods Foundation to be announced and join this very special and distinguished brotherhood. It will bind all of us together forever with Tyrone and the moral code that he exemplified that we must continue to promote as the next generation.

Sincerely,
Tyler Self
Recipient of the Tyrone S Woods 2016 Memorial Trophy
February 2017