Iowa State University Alumni Association| online edition | fall 2005

FALL 2005
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Cover Story:
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- Steve Paris
- Lyndsey Medders & Megan
- Ronhovde
- Scott Coleman
- Erin Dethloff

Feature:
Dancing in Rhythm

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STEVE PARIS:
'I DON'T WANT TO HAVE ANY REGRETS'

Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Major: Sociology
Sport: Football

Steve Paris was the only student in his high school
graduating class to go to a four-year college or university, let alone one with an academic reputation
as strong as iowa state’s. clearly, there’s something
special about him.

The “special” that most people know about “Greedy” Paris is probably his quick moves and instincts in the secondary. Today he is living the dream as a college football star with a chance at a career in professional sports. but the opportunity to showcase his talents on the field didn’t come easily.

Paris, who persevered in what he described as a
difficult environment in the dallas public schools,
worked hard to earn a qualifying test score and get
into Iowa State. now he is on his way to becoming
a first-generation college graduate.

It took about a year, but paris is now fully realizing
and taking full advantage of his opportunity. “I had a friend who I saw fail out of school with only one or two years left. I just thought, ‘What a waste,’” Paris says.

Paris doesn’t want to waste his opportunity. He
admits he spent his first year at ISU focusing only
on football and parties (trying to live the college
life he saw in movies, he says) and planned to go
through school without declaring a major – until
football academic counselor Chad Grotegut and
former Cyclone teammate Ellis Hobbs gave him a
wake-up call that has changed his priorities and
tightened his focus for good.

“I just started taking my education seriously,” he
says. “Some people are followers; some are leaders.
i want to be a leader. After I graduate, I want to
get up in the morning and do something I love.” He
couldn’t do that thing he loves – which he says is
more than likely a career in coaching and/or athletics
administration – without a college degree. He
also says he wants to be able to live in a positive
environment, in a neighborhood free of violence,
and that a college degree is a ticket to the life he
wants for himself and his family.

The life of a Division I college football player
has not been easy, Paris says. among the biggest
challenges is simply getting up each day and feeling
motivated to go to class, practice, workouts,
and everything else the day brings. But Paris says
he focuses on the rewards to get him through the
sometimes stressful day-to-day routine.

“Steve has given 100 percent effort,” Grotegut says. “He truly is a testament of what a person can do with a little will power and a lot of perseverance.”

“My philosophy is, I’ve come this far, I might as
well finish the deal – with academics and with football,” Paris says. “When I look back at it, I don’t
want to have any regrets.”

And he wants to see his great-grandmother, who
raised him, come to Hilton Coliseum and watch him
graduate. “A lot of families,” he says, “never get to
go to a college graduation.”

Read on | Lyndsey Medders: 'You only live life once.'
Megan Ronhovde: 'What am I going to achieve today?'