Hello again!
This letter is from Utah State. All I can say is wow! Thank you to Amy Crosbie at Utah State for the opportunity to share my message. It really seems like it is making a difference! Please read remaining news as well. There is a lot of great feedback! Read about
Bars Cars and Catastrophes! Joe


Joe,
Utah State was extremely happy to have you on our campus to speak to the Greeks and to our student athlete population. You were so great to work with and it was nice to finally meet you face to face. You are an inspiring individual and a talented speaker.
It does not matter who I am bringing in for programming, I always have a bit of anxiety before an event because I have required our student athletes to attend. My anxiety stems from the question are they going to enjoy it, are they going to leave this night thinking more deeply about what they have heard?
The initial scene was familiar, tired athletes dragging their feet and sitting in the back of the auditorium. But all it took was you beginning to speak to them and I emphasize the words “speak to them” not at them but to them. Your presentation is a heavy one but rightfully so. The decisions you are asking them to be conscious of are a matter of life and death. No one wants to see the realities of car crashes that could have been prevented if someone would have just THOUGHT FIRST! College students, and definitely college student athletes are not invincible and that was proven in the video that you showed.
I received a lot of verbal and written feedback. It is amazing to see what different people gained from your presentation. Your presentation was a perfect fit for us and I want to thank you for pursuing this line of work because there is not a person I know that would not benefit from you presentation!
Below are emails that were sent to me the day after you visited Utah State in response to your presentation.

I came to talk to you today about last night. Wow, It was great! I really enjoyed it and the students I have talked to did as well. I have caught myself 3 times today forgetting to put my seat belt on right away, that will change for sure. –Head Volleyball Coach.

I thought that the presentation was good. It made me think about how quickly things can change in your life and to make good decisions. It also made me feel sad for the people who have lost family members and friends because of bad choices of other people. – Football player
I thought that last night was really good, it definitely hit home for me. It wasn't really the crashes and stuff like that that hit home it was just the fact that a brain or a spinal cord injury could change your life in an instant. I thought that he was very entertaining and had some good insights for us. I enjoyed the presentation. – Women’s soccer player

I thought that last nights presentation was powerful, I’m not sure if I was motivated or just scared to death...but it definitely triggered something. I am one of those people who think I’m invincible and don’t wear my seatbelt, there was nothing my mom could do or say I just didn’t ever get into the habit. After last night I will with out fail wear my seat belt every time I get into the car. – Women’s Tennis player

I loved hearing Joe. I believe he has saved lives by giving this message and showing that movie. Some of the girls on my team and I were talking after and we were saying that all high school kids taking drivers ed should have to watch that film and all those who are renewing their licenses. We think that many lives could be saved if more people see that. It was so moving. I loved what he had to share, his message was amazing. Life is so fragile and he just brought that reality to the surface. I'm thankful that I had the chance to hear him speak. It definitely changed my views on life and other things I do. I think it was a very good thing to have the athletes go to. It was awesome! – Women’s Soccer player

I really liked Joe Rhea's message. It was pretty graphic and some may say "hard to swallow" with the graphic pictures, but I think for most of the student-athletes that really do need to hear this message- that is what it takes- the raw reality of it. He was a very good speaker and in most presentations like this I feel like the speaker is preaching to me and I don't connect with them because I don't feel like they are like me. I enjoyed the presentation, but didn't feel it was something I needed to hear as I am past that phase of my life, but the message of wearing your seatbelt is for everyone and anyone. I enjoyed that he seemed young which made him more credible to me as I could relate to him. After the meeting I went up and thanked him for coming out to little Logan, Utah to speak to us. I liked it. – Women’s volleyball player

I really enjoyed his speech. I've worn my seat belt every time I have gotten into a car since then. – Women’s softball player

I thought it was a great lecture. It was well rounded and had special applications to athletes. There are times when I sit and think about what I would do if I couldn’t be a normal member of society, it is so unfathomable. It definitely makes me think every time I get into a car about the consequences of every action when I drive. – Women’s softball player

I thought Joe was a great speaker. He told it how it is and made me think about the choices I make everyday. I have to admit that the program was very different from what I thought it was going to be. The program did leave me feeling a little depressed; yet humbled. Thank you for bringing him in to speak to us. - Gymnast

Amy CrosbieAcademic Advisor/ Life Skills CoordinatorUtah State University - Student Athlete Services