Joining us here on the ESPN at the phone lines, kind of enough to take a couple of minutes

out of his day is John Gordon, obviously you might know John is the best selling author

and speaker, but of course he was a former Cornell lacrosse player who played for Richie.

And John, thanks so much for the time, we really appreciate it.

You tweeted out Sunday night that Richie changed your life, and I'm wondering if you can give

us the cliff notes version because I'm sure you could go on and on about Richie.

How did he change your life? What made him so impactful?

Well, I could write a book on it for sure, and I know we don't have that time, but here's the deal.

I was a kid from Sittown, Long Island, and I was 17 years old, spoke to him for the first time,

and he recruited me to go to Cornell. I was the only person for my family right,

I'd ever go to an Ivy League school. I never said I'd do a school like that.

He believed in me, and I go to Cornell, right out of Long Island, my dad was a near city police officer.

My parents never made more than $30,000 a year. He exposed me to a whole new world.

I learned about culture and teamwork and leadership, and this coach, Richie Miranda,

the legendary coach, believed in me. I remember the first conversation, he had this incredible

voice that just resonated with you. It sounded like he was a young, really young guy,

and I get up there in my recruiting visit, and I'm like, coach, if I get in, I'm going here.

And so I go to Cornell, and I grow in so many ways. I see friends who have

successful families and wealth, and you see a whole new world that is possible for you.

And then there's the lessons you learn along the way. You're part of the Cornell family,

which is a huge part of your life and who you are. And I venture to say, I would not be doing

what I'm doing today. I've written 26 books. They've sold millions of copies. I've really

...