October 3, 2011
One day I just decided to give it a shot.
My mom had been telling me for months that I should email someone about getting Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball tickets. See, Grandma had never been to a men’s basketball game in Allen Fieldhouse before, so I decided to try to find a way to get her there. I went online to the athletics website for KU and emailed the first guy I found. His name was Chris Theisen. He responded so quickly, just over an hour later.
“Hi, my name is Kylie Peters, and I have a quick question. My grandma is a die-hard Kansas fan. We live in Manassas, Virginia and she has taught me everything I need to know about Kansas basketball. My grandma, cousin, & I get together at my grandma’s house for EVERY single game. She tapes every game and also watches them in her spare time. We can’t exactly afford a flight, hotel, and (good) tickets to a Kansas game at Allen Fieldhouse, so I was contacting you for information if we could win tickets? Or get free ones some how? This is a lot to ask, but my Grandma hasn’t been to Allen Fieldhouse since the summer of 2008 when I attended the womens basketball camp, she took me. She decorates her bathroom every year, wears either her KU jacket or a KU tshirt or every single day. If there is anyone who deserves tickets, it would be my Grandma.
Like I said, this is a lot to ask for, but I just wanted to try and ask because my Grandma does so much for me, so I wanted to try to return the favor. I love her.
Just email me back with someone else I need to ask, or if there is anything you can do to help me.
Thank you so much for your time,
Kylie Peters”
My mom told me the reason that I actually got a response back was because my email was so innocent and straight and to the point. I typed up that email on my phone, sitting on the floor in my room…. I didn’t think that it would get me far, but I was very wrong.
What Chris did next made me feel so good, it was just a small gesture of kindness, but it went a long way. Chris politely emailed back saying there was nothing he could do because he did not work in the ticket office...
BUT—he did however forward my email to the exact person it needed to go to.
Without the help of Nicole Corcoran, I would have never been able to make one of my grandmother’s dreams come true.
I told Nicole that we were die hard Kansas fans, I explained all of the little things grandma enjoyed doing when it came to her Jayhawks. I even sent her picture of my cousin, sister, and I growing up so Nicole could see that we have truly been fans forever. She loved seeing everything.
October 5, 2011
“Okay – you guys are awesome – and serious Jayhawk fans!!
Yes, we would be happy to provide you and your grandma with tickets to a game in Allen Fieldhouse. There truly is nothing like it – and she should definitely be a part of the excitement. Please talk with your grandma and look at your travel plans. We will provide you with FOUR tickets to either the 12-29 or 12-31 game. (That way there is room for your sister – or your cousin – if they will be joining you.) But if it’s only the two of you, let me know. We will also see what we can do about a private tour while you are here. Let me know which game you will attend so I can put a hold on the tickets – and yes, they will be really good seats!
You are a sweet and persistent young woman whose grandma clearly means the world to you. She is lucky to have you in her corner.
ROCK CHALK!!”
That was the email that I received while sitting outside in the courtyard eating lunch my senior year of high school. That day we printed out the emails and brought them over to grandmas. I told her that I did something, then handed her the folder with the emails. I remember she kept looking up at me the entire time in disbelief. Her eyes watered up and you could just tell she was the happiest woman alive at that moment.
December 29, 2011
We ended up getting our private tour around Allen Fieldhouse, we went in the conference room, the workout room, the locker rooms, and we even caught a glimpse of Danny Manning—YES! He actually is taller than he appears on TV!! After, we went to grab a bite to eat, then got back for the game. It was amazing. Row 4 seats… Grandma had a smile on her face the entire time.
It’s moments like these that make me remember why I enjoy doing things for other people. Seeing the enjoyment and excitement in their eyes is enough to make me happy, too. I wanted to share these emails because it just proves—even if you don’t think you can accomplish something, sometimes just even a small try can get you there. If you never ask, the answer will always be no. I decided to ask, and the answer was yes. I got one of the most amazing vacations out of it, as well as quality time with my family. I also got memories with my grandma that will last forever.
It is always worth it to take the leap of faith.
One day I just decided to give it a shot.
My mom had been telling me for months that I should email someone about getting Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball tickets. See, Grandma had never been to a men’s basketball game in Allen Fieldhouse before, so I decided to try to find a way to get her there. I went online to the athletics website for KU and emailed the first guy I found. His name was Chris Theisen. He responded so quickly, just over an hour later.
“Hi, my name is Kylie Peters, and I have a quick question. My grandma is a die-hard Kansas fan. We live in Manassas, Virginia and she has taught me everything I need to know about Kansas basketball. My grandma, cousin, & I get together at my grandma’s house for EVERY single game. She tapes every game and also watches them in her spare time. We can’t exactly afford a flight, hotel, and (good) tickets to a Kansas game at Allen Fieldhouse, so I was contacting you for information if we could win tickets? Or get free ones some how? This is a lot to ask, but my Grandma hasn’t been to Allen Fieldhouse since the summer of 2008 when I attended the womens basketball camp, she took me. She decorates her bathroom every year, wears either her KU jacket or a KU tshirt or every single day. If there is anyone who deserves tickets, it would be my Grandma.
Like I said, this is a lot to ask for, but I just wanted to try and ask because my Grandma does so much for me, so I wanted to try to return the favor. I love her.
Just email me back with someone else I need to ask, or if there is anything you can do to help me.
Thank you so much for your time,
Kylie Peters”
My mom told me the reason that I actually got a response back was because my email was so innocent and straight and to the point. I typed up that email on my phone, sitting on the floor in my room…. I didn’t think that it would get me far, but I was very wrong.
What Chris did next made me feel so good, it was just a small gesture of kindness, but it went a long way. Chris politely emailed back saying there was nothing he could do because he did not work in the ticket office...
BUT—he did however forward my email to the exact person it needed to go to.
Without the help of Nicole Corcoran, I would have never been able to make one of my grandmother’s dreams come true.
I told Nicole that we were die hard Kansas fans, I explained all of the little things grandma enjoyed doing when it came to her Jayhawks. I even sent her picture of my cousin, sister, and I growing up so Nicole could see that we have truly been fans forever. She loved seeing everything.
October 5, 2011
“Okay – you guys are awesome – and serious Jayhawk fans!!
Yes, we would be happy to provide you and your grandma with tickets to a game in Allen Fieldhouse. There truly is nothing like it – and she should definitely be a part of the excitement. Please talk with your grandma and look at your travel plans. We will provide you with FOUR tickets to either the 12-29 or 12-31 game. (That way there is room for your sister – or your cousin – if they will be joining you.) But if it’s only the two of you, let me know. We will also see what we can do about a private tour while you are here. Let me know which game you will attend so I can put a hold on the tickets – and yes, they will be really good seats!
You are a sweet and persistent young woman whose grandma clearly means the world to you. She is lucky to have you in her corner.
ROCK CHALK!!”
That was the email that I received while sitting outside in the courtyard eating lunch my senior year of high school. That day we printed out the emails and brought them over to grandmas. I told her that I did something, then handed her the folder with the emails. I remember she kept looking up at me the entire time in disbelief. Her eyes watered up and you could just tell she was the happiest woman alive at that moment.
December 29, 2011
We ended up getting our private tour around Allen Fieldhouse, we went in the conference room, the workout room, the locker rooms, and we even caught a glimpse of Danny Manning—YES! He actually is taller than he appears on TV!! After, we went to grab a bite to eat, then got back for the game. It was amazing. Row 4 seats… Grandma had a smile on her face the entire time.
It’s moments like these that make me remember why I enjoy doing things for other people. Seeing the enjoyment and excitement in their eyes is enough to make me happy, too. I wanted to share these emails because it just proves—even if you don’t think you can accomplish something, sometimes just even a small try can get you there. If you never ask, the answer will always be no. I decided to ask, and the answer was yes. I got one of the most amazing vacations out of it, as well as quality time with my family. I also got memories with my grandma that will last forever.
It is always worth it to take the leap of faith.