Corey Dillon has never been one to lose sight of his goals.
The Dixie College running back is in it for the long haul.Neither time nor the daily regimen seem to change much about the uncompromising way Dillon trains and competes.
And thinks.
Still, life hasn't been easy for him. For instance, last spring, Dillon's hopes and dreams of playing major college football or in the National Football League took a detour on Kansas' yellow brick road.
For him, Kansas (at Garden City Community College) wasn't Oz.
"There were a lot of corrupt things going on in Garden City, and I just wanted to come here and concentrate on my grades and helping the team," said Dillon.
"I didn't want to be in the same situation that was in Garden City. One night, a group of guys came over to the door I was staying in to watch the Mike Tyson and I forget the other guy's name (Peter McNeeley) that he was fighting," explained the Rebel star.
"Everything was fine. But there were a couple basketball and football players jawing at each other. After the fight was over, I was walking out, with some of my teammates, and one of my teammates was having words, with one of the basketball players.
"I was just trying to calm him down, and in the process, one of the basketball players pulled out a weapon (knife). There was a big confrontation. But there wasn't really any blows thrown or anything like that. It was only talk back and forth. I had just stepped in to get my teammate out of any harm."
Dillon, however, was a victim of circumstances and was forced out of the dorm. Once, he returned to pick up his belongings, the dorm supervisor called the police, and he was arrested.
Garden City Community College football coach Jeff Leiker couldn't find any other place for him to stay this fall. Dillon couldn't afford the housing.
So, Dillon trekked home to Seattle. A friend called Dixie College coach Greg Croshaw.
"His friend asked me if I wanted Dillon to play here," said Croshaw. "I told him that I didn't even know him. He said I should, because Dillon played against us in last year's Dixie Rotary Bowl. I still didn't remember him.
"I thought he was the quarterback, and his friend said, 'No. He was the running back.' So, I investigated Dillon's background at Garden City.
"I called his Garden City coach (Jeff Leiker), and he told me he would take him back in a minute. But he couldn't. He couldn't find him a place to stay. Then, I had a meeting with our president (Dr. Robert Huddleston), and athletic director (Dr. Karl Brooks).
"I told them both about his background, and the fact that I called the Garden City coach. They asked me if Corey was involved with any drug, sex and harassment charges. I told them no.
"They gave me the okay. That was like music to my ears."
Actually, Dillon's police blotter could be even worse given the circumstances he grew up in - one of Seattle's worse ghettos.
The talented Rebel back is getting a second chance in life.
"That's right, and you only get so many chances in life," responded Dillon. "And with this chance, I just want to make it right. The environment I grew up in wasn't the best.
"I come from a broken home," added Dillon. "But I don't want to make that an excuse. That's a big-time cop out. In a way, I guess I'm an example for some of the other athletes I have known back home, and never made it.
"I have a lot of people back home behind me. It would be a big disappointment for them if I didn't make it. It would blow their hopes, and dreams. I have a lot riding on my expectations."
Dillon led the nation's junior colleges in rushing (1,899 yards, and 6.8 yards per carry), and the 9-1 Rebels to a No. 3 ranking, a Western States Football League championship, and a bowl bid. The Dillon-led Rebels draw No. 8-ranked Nassau County (9-1) in the Dixie Rotary Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 2.
He has rushed for over 3,700 yards in two years.
For Dillon, the sun is shining on his face in Southern Utah's Dixie. As far as he is concerned, it shines 24 hours a day.
"I'm just enjoying this. I could be doing a lot of bad things in a different environment," said Dillon. "But it feels good to have people believing in me. I really appreciate that. And I also appreciate what coach Croshaw has done for me.
"Really, it's been a great environment for me to be here. There isn't any corruption. All I have to do is study, and play football.
"To be quite honest, this is the happiest I've ever been since high school. There aren't any hassles. There aren't any problems. The only pressure on me here is what I put on myself."
Colleges from across the nation, like Pittsburgh, Miami, Washington, Washington State, BYU, and others, have been in constant contact with him about his services next year.
"You know, when I was growing up and attending Franklin High, I would dream about playing at the University of Washington," explained the articulate young athlete. "But that isn't the case anymore.
"I'm not to fond of playing on the east coast or the deep south. I want to play in the west. It's a hard decision. I want to evaluate one school at a time. I want to be in an environment similar to this, where there isn't any corruption, and I can just go to school, study, and do my best playing football.
"Let's just say this, I'm a lot smarter than I was coming out of high school. And I want to go to a place, where it would be beneficial for both the college and myself. I just want to be happy."