Jay Wilkinson was a standout high school athlete in his home town of Norman, OK, also home to the University of Oklahoma, where Bud Wilkinson had already claimed three national championships. Yet, Jay opted to play his college football elsewhere, at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

With his son far from home, Bud reached out to Jay in advance of his first spring practice at Duke. In the letter, the elder Wilkinson not only offered encouragement, but also spoke of a new opportunity which h ad come his way.

2/17/1961 - Thursday

Dear Jay,

I was sorry I missed your call last night. I had to be in Muskogee for the Annual QB Club Banquet. I'm on my way now to Grand Rapids, Michigan for our second Coaching School.

Congratulations on pledging Phi Delt. It is a fine fraternity nationally - and from all I've heard - it is without doubt the best at Duke. I can imagine the pressures you were subjected to, but I hope they weren't too tough. While I know it wasn't always pleasant, such things are fine and profitable experiences.

Does Spring Practice begin on Tuesday? Mother couldn't recall exactly what you had said. Don't worry about not being in good enough shape - what position you'll play - or whether you'll make the team. Simply do your dead level best every single day at practice - make your continued best effort - be tough - and everything will work out perfectly. I'll be anxious to hear about it .

I have a problem which is surprising and difficult. Yesterday, a man named Ted Reardon called me from the White House and asked me, on behalf of the President, to become the Executive Director for Youth Fitness. This would be a Presidential appointment. I would be working under Secretary Rubicoff, who is the Cabinet Officer of Health, Recreation and Welfare.

There is no doubt that it is a fine opportunity to make a contribution for a cause in which I believe, but if I accept I will probably have to give up my job at Oklahoma, move to Washington, make only 1/3 as much money while residing in a far more expense place, and then be out of a job in four or eight years when we have a new President.

It is an honor to be even considered for such a position. I'm going to Washington after the Clinics to talk with Mr. Reardon about it. I'll call you when I know a little more as I would like to know what you think before I accept or refuse. In the meantime, please don't tell anybody.

Everything else seems to be coming along quite well. Mom's back in OK - our recruiting is going quite well - we had fairly good scholastic grades by our players last semester. I'm anxious to see our new men in Spring Practice.

We received your grades from Duke today. I was truly proud - and you should be too. Keep up the good work.

We'll talk to you soon.

Love always,
Dad