Mills: It takes hard work and dedication to succeed

BY SHINE SALT

SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

PHOENIX – Almost getting dizzy and having that sticky sweat feeling, Billy Mills kept pushing forward.

Lifting his knees and pumping his arms, he finally felt the tape break across his chest. He was the first Native and American to win a gold medal for the 10,000-meter at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo.

“We look at athletes do wonderful things on court. We look at football and basketball players that are involved, but what we don’t see are the amount of hours and the commitment,” said Navajo Nation Vice President, Rex Lee Jim. “The hard work and the discipline that it takes, but we don’t see a support system. The parents, grandparents, the schools, coaches and the amount of tremendous teamwork that it takes. I’d like to thank you for that network.”

Mills, from the Oglala Lakota tribe was an honored guest speaker Jan. 28 at the “Recognition of American Indian Athletes” banquet in the Phoenix Heard Museum.

His mother died when he was nine years old, a time he recalls himself having broken wings. He was mourning for his mom, but his father knew he could regain those wings of an eagle. The father drew a circle in the sand and told Mills to step inside and close his eyes.

“He told me to look inside of your heart, mind, body and spirit. ‘What do you find?’ I’m 9 years old and I don’t understand what he’s talking about,” continued Mills. “He clapped his hands and said, I’ll tell you what you’ll find son… anger. You just lost your mom, son. Hate because people have expressed hatred towards us, jealousy because we don’t have anything of material value and a lot of self-pity. All those emotions will destroy you. Look deeper, way down deeper and find your dreams that you can pursue that’ll heal a broken soul.”

By the time he was12, Mills lost his father and grew up as a boarding school student. In his freshmen year of high school, he didn’t make the football, basketball and the track team. But he knew he had a hidden talent that was not yet developed.

“If you’re blessed to find a passion in your life, and if you’re blessed to have your passion with a hidden talent then it is an incredible thing to have,” said Mills.

Arizona State Sen. Carlyle Begay said with the ambitions and goals one has in sports, it is important to have an education which will lead to opportunities.

“If you find something that you’re passionate about, you’ll work harder at it, but most importantly you’re going to become successful at it,” said Begay.

Being one of the few to graduate high school from his reservation in Pine Ridge and go off to college, Mills said he and others had to disconnect from their society in order to survive.

“We were rejected by the white society and we became very vulnerable, but I knew to take my culture, tradition and spirituality and merge it into values,” said the Olympian. “It’s our culture and values that give us direction, confidence and it’ll ­­­clear our minds to make a course.”

Begay, with the same notation as Mills, said to not forget where you come from as you’re pursuing your ambitions.

“You represent a rich culture and heritage that defines you differently from a lot of people,” said Begay.

Mills used that empowerment and describes his sports journey as being very sacred. Overcoming racial comments and almost committing suicide, he kept his parents and family in thought.

He was named the NCAA All-America cross-country runner three times and had an athletic scholarship with the University of Kansas where the running team won championship in 1959 and 1960.

“Take the tremendous discipline and the courage that it takes to be where you are as athletes and transfer those skills in being a son, father, uncle and a grandfather,” said the vice president. “Show that those disciplines that you exercise as an athlete can also be about love and compassion to your families. Those values and principles allow you to be who you are as athletes and it can allow you to excel in anything you choose to be so make the most of it.”

Most didn’t know Mills’ name and he wasn’t favored during the Olympics, but at that time he was still serving in the Marines as a first lieutenant.

The 10,000-meter race began. At halfway point, Mills saw his wife crying and he thought of the commitment he made to honor his family, himself and tribal nation. He knew he didn’t want to quit.

“(Mohammed Gammoudi) waited one second too long. I closed in but he broke through anyway,” said Mills about the runner from Africa. “He pushed me again and I stumbled, but I closed back on his shoulder.”

Diagnosed as a borderline diabetic, Mills felt a bit dizzy with sticky sweat but there was only 120-meters to go.

“I got low blood sugar and Ron Clarke is 7-yards in front of me. I looked from the corner of my eye and at the center of his jersey I saw an eagle.” Continued Mills. “It was down to my dad when I was 9 and 10 years old. Wings of an eagle! I can win! I see the finish line and I’m 4-yards behind them. I may never be this close again. I’ve got to do it now. I won! I won!”

When the gold medalist came to a stop, a Japanese official shouted, “Who are you?” Mills was confused—Did he mistakenly miscount the laps? Did he have one more? But the official reminded Mills he was the new Olympic champion.

Mills began to look for Clarke and ask of the image on his jersey.

“I have to tell him the eagle on his jersey helped me win. I left and saw him,” Mills smiled. “As I was about to speak. There was no eagle. It was simply a perception. Perceptions can either create us, or it can destroy us.”

Monument Valley Mustang volleyball player Ohiyah Shirley was one of a few Native athletes that were recognized during the banquet.

“I felt honored to be here and next season I’ll be attending Northern Arizona University where I’ll be playing volleyball,” smiled Shirley. “Hearing Mills, it’s inspiring and it motivates me because he used running to pursue his dreams. Knowing where I come from can help me to pursue in my athletics and academics career.”

Shirley will be an outside hitter for NAU and though she admits the competition and practices will be more intense, she’s excited.

“It’s a big step for me, especially transitioning from high school to a university level of volleyball,” continued Shirley. “It’s going to be tough, but it’s a privilege because I’ll be the first in my family to attend and play a collegiate sport. ”

She was one of three Navajo Times all-stars that were honored and like any other Native athlete Shirley said it takes passion, heart and dedication to pursue what you want.

“The time is now for us to tell our own stories,” said Mills.

The Heard Museum has a new exhibit honoring American Indian sports, athletes and art until Nov. 29.