It’s a major award

The word is getting out. People are talking. Questions are being asked. It’s time for me to get in front of this thing. Yes, I have been selected for induction into the Mayfield High School Alumni Hall of Fame. Just to prove this is not a joke, here’s the flyer. Once something is on a flyer, IT’S BINDING. No takesies-backsies, Mayfield High. YOU OWN THIS NOW THIS IS ALL ON YOU. 

To all the jerks back in high school who said I was a big nerd, who didn’t take me seriously as an athlete, who thought I was more interested in journalism than being cool, I want you to know – yeah, you were right. But now I shall wear the green Hall of Fame jacket. I don’t know if there is a Mayfield Hall of Fame jacket, but there should be, and it should be green with a cheesy 1990s Wildcat logo patch on the breast pocket. Or it could just be a Members Only jacket¹.

To my close friends reading this, I promise not to let my induction change who I am. Yes, I expect my wife to introduce me to others in social settings as “Mayfield High School Hall of Famer Joe Donatelli…” I will say things in conversations like, “That’s an interesting non-Hall of Fame point of view, but in my Hall of Famer opinion…” And when I see another who has been inducted into a Hall of Fame (a Joe Thomas — or a Jim Thome), I will grasp them firmly on the shoulder, look them in the eye and say, “Hello, fellow Hall of Famer…” followed by a conversation about the pressures and expectations that come with being recognized as a person society has deemed as superior to others. A tattoo? Obviously. Other than that, same old guy. 

I’m joking here as I share this news because humor is how I process the unexpected, and this honor is unexpected. It’s a reflection of those who have educated me, supported me and have worked alongside me — oops, now I am writing the speech, and it’s too early for all that. I’ll share more, and will publish the speech when it’s written, so hit that subscribe button if you don’t want to miss out.

1. I stole this joke from my friend and MHS classmate Matt, who is a Hall of Famer at making jokes.