Veteran turned MTSU Raider Steven Rhodes: Husband and Full-time Dad before the Spotlight

After the world was introduced to Steven Rhodes by Adam Sparks of The Daily News Journal on Sunday, August 18, 2013, he became a media star within hours. Steven Rhodes went from a being a local story about a Marine hoping to play football at Middle Tennessee State University to THE news story on social media. Millions of tweets and Facebook comments were being posted by the hour it seemed. Social media went into overdrive and then every sports journalist, talk show host, and blogger stood in line ready to interview him. Within 24 hours, Steven Rhodes was no longer a college football player story that took over social media but an internationally Marine who everyone was cheering for around the world.

I was one of the those social media enthusiasts who retweeted and posted his story. Of course, Steven Rhodes being a Marine caught my attention first, but the more I read, the more intrigued I became about Steven Rhodes. Being in the company of Marines often, I know firsthand that most Marines have families with young children. (Just look at the Marines of KILO Company). I wanted to go behind the scenes to find out more.

After reading he had a wife who was still active duty, I called MTSU's media director, Jimmy Hart,  for an interview. The line was long and my number was 777. But I kept calling and Jimmy kept trying. With perseverance and an angel disguised as Aunt Angela, I move ahead of the pack and got an interview booked on for my radio show, Living Your Best Life Radio, that has a large military following. With many of members of our military in transition, I believed his story would encourage them in a variety of ways. Football seemed to be only part of the story.

Across multiple networks on Saturday, August 24, 2013, I was honored to interview not just Steven but his wife, Adrienne, and his mother, Narkita. The audience heard a soft spoken Steven share how he and his wife worked out a plan long from the spotlight about their post military careers for their family. Playing football was part of the goal but not THE goal. Enrolling in college with hopes of trying out for football were discussed with his wife over a year ago. After fire years in the military each and two sons ages, one and three, the young couple were looking forward to their future with solid plans.

Steven and Adrienne went deeper into their story by sharing their family's move to Tennessee was actually over a year in the making. If Steven desired to at least try out for a college team, he knew he had to be in physical shape to be considered. Joining an intramural team was for fun but also for filming footage for perspective coaches to view. He understood he needed to market himself and felt strongly he get could an opportunity to be a walk on. He knew he needed months to train, not a few weeks before football camp. Several colleges across the country were on his list. In the Middle Tennessee area, Vanderbilt and Middle Tennessee were on the short list.

Adrienne shared it was a big decision for their family. But she believed in her husband and supported her husband's decision try out for football. The issues surrounding his ability to play were big but so were childcare, finding a home close to campus, and a job for her. Steven Rhodes was a husband and father first.

You could hear Adrienne's excitement and determination about the next chapter in her life as woman, wife, and mother. She will be leaving the Navy in September and finishing her degree this fall. The couple voiced how they made sacrifices to find the best fit for their family and MTSU was that best fit. MTSU supports veterans and everyone worked as a team to help Steven. Team work..

Like good team players, Steven and Adrienne relied on each other but were not shy about asking for help. Enter the grandparents. While Steven was transplanting his family to Tennessee in May, the grandparents on both sides stepped up to helped with the children. For two months this summer, Steven practiced during the day while being Mr. Mom with the boys. Is there a medal for that?

His mom, Narkita, joined our on air discussion and shared how she and her husband, Reginald, raised her sons in the church and she was not shy about being a disciplinarian. Steven laughed out loud as his mother shared his childhood antics that tested the family often. She told me later, she too, was not shy about asking family members to help with her sons. Both grandmothers have been rock solid throughout the transition and both knew that no matter what the outcome with football, their children were following their destiny in life.

The audience heard from Steven how a strong faith in God and loving supportive family kept him grounded before becoming a Marine. As a Marine, he is one of the few, the proud, the brave. His light was shining brightly before being dubbed a media darling. His humility was obvious on the air and when I met him in person. His wife understands his desire to excel in life because she believes in "Honor, Courage, Commitment.” Their family's story encouraged thousands who are in career transition throughout the military but also throughout communities around the country. They heard nothing happens over night. Nothing. And going after your dreams and desires in life truly takes planning. And sacrifice.

(I believe firmly that preparation for an opportunity sets you on the path for that opportunity to happen. Many may not see one prepping for it but when it happens you they are prepared. I thank everyone for helping make my interview with The Rhodes Family possible. I especially thank Adam Spark for tipping the world off to Steven Rhodes, Jimmy Hart, and Russell Luna. lastly, a big art lover thank you to the Aunt Angela!

Marine turned MTSU Raider Steven Rhodes and His Family on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

Join Living Your Best Life as we celebrate our military heroes' journeys before and after their service to our country. Hear from men and women who are sons and daughters; husbands and wives; fathers and mothers; grandparents; siblings; and loyal friends. Hear members of the Marines, Army, Air Force, and Navy share personal stories and highlights from their military careers. All have roles that made them the "first" in many endeavors throughout their lives and in the military. We will hear about their rarely discussed acts of courage and sacrifice that embody servant leadership that will empower, inspire, and motivate listeners.

On Saturday, August 24, 2013, join me to hear the inspiring story of Marine Veteran, Steven Rhodes, who became a football player at Middle Tennessee State University after initially being ruled ineligible to play because of NCAA rules. Hear Rhodes' share how his faith and his family helped shaped him long before he began wearing the Raiders' jersey. The Rhodes Family will share about their life before the spotlight and their thoughts on the last week. 

Wife Adrienne Rhodes, AO3 Rhodes E-4. Stationed in San Diego.

Rhodes will also discuss his service in the Marines Corps and the challenges of balancing family, college, and football. We will also share how veterans around the country are taking a second look at attending college since the story broke on Sunday in the Daily News Journal and was picked up national media outlets around the country.

This show is guaranteed to empower, inspire, and motivate you to live your BEST life and not let others "no" determine your destiny in life!

Tune into 760AM in the Middle Tennessee Region, on Tune In, on streaming live online at UStream.TV, and on military bases on Saturdays from 9:00-10:00am CST.

MTSU Named Military Friendly School!

MTSU was recently named a 'Military Friendly School' for the third year by G.I. Jobs. This honor is given to only the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools who actively promote resources and services to veterans looking to return to school. MTSU has been working with many campus partners to ensure that our veterans' transition to MTSU is successful by providing veteran focused programs, support and guidance.




VetSuccess On Campus Information 

Photo Credits: MTSU and Steven Rhodes 
Behind the scenes of story breaking by Subtle Sparky Blog post can be found here.
Special Thanks: Jimmy Hart, Russell Luna, USMC, and The Rhodes Family 

GLORIA STEINEM KEYNOTES WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH AT MTSU

Feminist Writer, Publisher, Activist to Address Women’s Progress, Challenges
(MURFREESBORO) – Writer and lecturer Gloria Steinem, whose pivotal role in the women’s rights movement has resulted in great strides toward equality, will deliver the keynote address of MTSU’s National Women’s History Month celebration at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Mar. 2, in the Tennessee Room of the James Union Building. This event is free and open to the public and will be followed with a reception and book signing.

Steinem, a co-founder of Ms. magazine in 1972, raised the public profile of feminism with her writing, lectures and public appearances. She helped to found the Women’s Action Alliance, a national organization dedicated to nonsexist, multiracial children’s education, and the National Women’s Political Caucus, a group that strives to increase the numbers of pro-equality women in elected and appointed offices at all levels of government.

“Gloria Steinem is an icon!,” says Terri Johnson, chair of MTSU’s Women’s History Month Committee and director of the June Anderson Women’s Center. “Her place in the women’s movement is one that will always be respected and honored. She opened doors when so many were closed for women. She stood up, spoke out and fought for the cause! She fought behind the scenes and on a public platform, using her voice and pen to raise consciousness to a new level for women.”

Among Steinem’s other accomplishments is her tenure as the founding president of the Ms. Foundation for Women, which funds grass roots projects, and as co-founder of “Take Our Daughters to Work Day,” which has become an institution in the United States and numerous countries.

Steinem’s work also has been essential to the progress of the pro-choice movement. She co-founded and served as president of Voters for Choice, a political action committee that merged with the Planned Parenthood Action Fund for the 2004 elections. In addition, Steinem co-founded Choice USA, a national group that supports young pro-choice leaders and comprehensive sex education in schools.

“I admire her individuality, intelligence, bravery and her ability to place women in the forefront of society,” Johnson says. “Gloria Steinem asks the tough questions about women's important value as individuals in society.”
As an author, Steinem is the recipient of the Penney-Missouri Journalism Award; the Front Page and Clarion awards; National Magazine awards; an Emmy Citation for excellence in television writing; the Women’s Sports Journalism Award; the Lifetime.

Achievement in Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists; the Society of Writers Award from the United Nations; and the University of Missouri School of Journalism Award for Distinguished Service in Journalism.
Her books include Revolution from Within: A Book of Self-Esteem; Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions; Moving Beyond Words; and Marilyn: Norma Jean, all bestsellers. Steinem also was an editor of The Reader’s Companion to U.S. Women’s History.
As an activist, her honors include the first Doctorate of Human Justice awarded by Simmons College; the Bill of Rights Award from the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California; the National Gay Rights Advocates Award; the Liberty Award of the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund; the Ceres Medal from the United Nations; and numerous honorary degrees. In 1993, Steinem was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, N.Y.
A 1956 Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Smith College, Steinem is collaborating with her alma mater’s Sophia Smith Collection on a project to document the grass roots origins of the U.S. women’s movement. In addition, she is working on Road to the Heart: America As if Everyone Mattered, a chronicle of her more than 30 years as a feminist organizer.
The National Women’s History Month Committee, the June Anderson Women’s Center, the Seigenthaler Chair of Excellence, the Distinguished Lecture Fund, the Esther Seeman Fund, the Black History Month Committee, the Virginia Peck Trust Fund, Women in Action, the Women’s Studies Program, and the School of Journalism are sponsors of Steinem’s appearance.
Steinem’s keynote address is part of the MTSU Women’s History Month theme of “History, Change and the Future.” For more information on Steinem’s appearance or any other Women’s History Month activities, contact the Women’s Center at 615-898-2193 or jawc@mtsu.edu, or go to the Web site at http://www.mtsu.edu/jawc/nwhm.shtml.