Gaining Altitude Mark Andrews

That little bit 'extra' can make all the difference

If you watch sports on TV or radio, often you'll hear a coach or one of the announcers say, "He giving a 110% effort!"

While it's a cliché, these people in sports, business or school are the champions of the world. They are the ones who give just a little extra effort - or take action ahead of the pack.

There's one story in particular I like to tell about the impact of going that "extra mile."

It's a story that involves a young lady who was a senior at UCLA. Her name isn't important, but what she did was give 110%.

About a month before the murder trial of O.J. Simpson was about to start in California, this pre-law student sat down and wrote a letter to Judge Lance Ito, who was going to hear the case in his courtroom.

Paraphrasing her letter, she informed the judge, "I am a senior at UCLA studying pre-law, in hopes of one day becoming a lawyer and perhaps a judge. I know that you're a busy man, and I know that you are about to hear one of the most important trials of this decade.

"If you need any help during this trial, I would like to help you, since I think this would be an excellent experience for my future as a lawyer."

Throughout the entire Simpson trial, this young lady was there every day in court, helping out Judge Ito.

Some members of the media wondered who she was and Judge Ito explained that she was a college student in pre-law. The media members asked the Judge, "How did you pick her out of all the thousands of students who wrote you?"

Judge Ito explained, "It was easy. She was the only one who wrote me."

Sometimes the greatest success comes from just asking for it.

Today's upgrade: 110% effort may be as easy as writing a letter. You never know what might happen.

Mark "Doc" Andrews is a Detroit sportscaster and professional speaker. For additional information, check out his web site at www.docandrews.com. He can be reached by email at docandrews@aol.com, or by phone at 1-313-884-3976.