James A. Colley - Leader, Mentor, Friend
This letter was submitted to the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration on February 20th, 2003:

Dear Academy,

I am writing this letter in honor of a close friend of everyone who believes that parks and recreation truly enriches the quality of life of all Americans.  Many recreation professionals already know the many accomplishments, honors, and awards of James A. Colley.  However, there is another side of Jim that is not as publicly known.

At the end of my junior year at the University of St. Francis , I began to search for locations for my fifteen-week practicum, which would take place during my final semester of undergraduate study.  One of my professors, Mr. Ronald Dodd recommended that I consider the City of Phoenix Parks, Recreation and Library Department for an internship.  He said that the director of this department, James A. Colley, was a great leader in the field and that this would be the best possible opportunity for me.

Needless to say, I was confident and excited about visiting Phoenix to explore future internship possibilities.  I met Mr. James Colley for the first time during the summer of 1996.  I walked into his office wearing a suit, as I thought all young interns should.  Mr. Colley immediately set me at ease as we walked around introducing me to fellow staff, while pointing fun at my attire.  He even threatened to cut off my tie with a pair of scissors! We still have a good laugh about this now, especially since that day the temperature was well past 110 degrees.

I began my internship in the Director’s Office of the City of Phoenix Parks, Recreation and Library Department in the spring of 1997.  This experience would prove to be the most beneficial fifteen weeks of my career.  Mr. Colley is the prime reason for this great experience that would create the foundation for my love and excitement of our field. 

Even though I was “just an intern”, Mr. Colley welcomed me as a young professional and showed me the endless benefits that can be achieved through recreation.  Each and every day throughout my internship, Mr. Colley took time away from his busy schedule that included leading a Gold Medal organization with hundreds of employees to spend time with me.  He reassured me that he always had an open door. As another example of his belief and confidence in young professionals, Mr. Colley assigned me to a position of great responsibility with one of the largest city events that would take place that year.  In fact, a partial list of assignments during the internship with Mr. Colley included research and reports for the city council, meetings with the Mayor of Phoenix, nationwide research projects, and supervising at risk youth interacting with Tiger Woods and other golf professionals.  To my amazement, he even took time to meet with my father to discuss the endless opportunities in field of parks and recreation. 

At the conclusion of my internship, Mr. Colley wrote a letter of support for my entrance into graduate school.  He continued to serve as a mentor though my course work in the field of public administration.  In addition, during my final semester, he served as the department’s leader and contact throughout a fifteen-week research project that my team completed for the City of Phoenix Parks, Recreation and Library Department.  Graduate school would not be the end, but a new start to the tireless mentoring efforts of Mr. Colley.  To this day, even after his retirement, he continues to serve as a mentor.

I have always felt that Mr. Colley places value and priority in guiding young professionals. I often hear that there is a concern regarding the future professionals filling the vacant positions of the numerous retiring leaders nationwide.  Honestly, I don’t feel this way.  He instilled a sense of confidence in me.  I know that this feeling is the direct result of the privilege of having Mr. Colley as a mentor.  His proactive approach to young professionals is inspiring. 

Through his mentoring, Mr. Colley has become one of the most inspirational people in my life.  I try to better myself each day because of him.  My enthusiasm and love for our field stems from learning about the unbelievable things that he has proven can be accomplished.  Every time I enter my office, every time I enter a classroom to teach, and every time I am aspiring to become something more, he is in my thoughts, leading my passion for success.

I know that I am not the only person that has been enriched through the mentoring of Mr. Colley.  The leadership of Mr. Colley has influenced many professionals that I have spoken with and no doubt countless of others in this vast field of parks and recreation.

The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration is the premier, most prestigious organization in our field, which is filled with top professionals whom serve as role models for future leaders.  I believe that Mr. Colley has been an exemplary member of your Academy through his unmatched efforts in mentoring young professionals.   In his honor, I am petitioning for changing the name of the Extern Program to the James A. Colley Extern Program.

I greatly appreciate your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Jason Genck, CPRP

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