Dr. Tiffany Ofili Porter

I was in my living room cuddling my newborn and conversing with my mom when I got the call from the University of Michigan’s athletic director Warde Manuel that something pretty cool will be happening.

He informed me that I, along with five other incredible men and women, will be inducted into the University of Michigan’s Hall of Honor this November. And I am very excited about it!

Although I’ve been in U of M’s Track Hall Of Fame since 2014, this honor is different because it encompasses all sports within the whole university. Per the selection committee, the U of M Athletics Hall of Honor was established in 1978 to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions as athletes, coaches and administrators to the tradition of Wolverine athletics and, in doing so, have enhanced the image and reputation of the University of Michigan.

I. Am. Humbled.

In reflecting on my journey as an athlete, and all the events that led me to this moment of receiving this honor, here are three reflections that may serve as good reminders:

1) There is always a purpose and a plan

From racing my older brothers and age mates in the streets of Ypsilanti, Michigan where my love for competition was birthed, to competing on the world stage as a professional athlete, it’s clear that there is a bigger plan & purpose for us all. Now sure, we are the sum of decisions, opportunities, timing, hard work etc, but I genuinely believe that we are all brought to earth for very specific reasons.

For a season of my life, Athletics was one of those reasons for me.

Yes there are things in life way more important than sport, but it served as a vehicle for me to realize potential, show gratitude for God’s gifts, and entertain folks along the way.

Whether you’re here as an athlete to show the next generation of young athletes what’s possible to achieve with integrity, or a teacher here to impact the next generation of young thinkers, we all are important peices to a great puzzle.

In this journey of life, we have a responsibility to strive to make a difference and ultimately help others. Track may have given me a platform to reach people in a unique way, but the purpose of the talent was much bigger than me.

Receiving this honor shows that there were people who appreciated my efforts on the track, and the platform it provided me with, and for that I’m incredibly grateful.

May we all continue to be encouraged to use our talents for good, and for the betterment of the world around us.

2) The hard times aren’t in vain

The difficult seasons I’ve faced in sport helped to better prepare me for the tough moments in life as a whole. I remember in 2015 I was devastated & felt like I let my team & myself down by not earning a fifth World Championships medal. In hindsight, even though it felt like my world was crumbling down, it pales in comparison to the pain I felt from experiencing recurring miscarriages before finally becoming a mom. Both times I was forced to learn from the difficult season, grow from it, and somehow use it for good.

The loss on the track in 2015 equipped me to mentor younger athletes on the art of bouncing back, and the loss of pregnancies in 2017/2018 equipped me with the compassion needed to help other women going through the same thing.

Looking back now, I see that the hard times were necessary to the journey and they all contributed to me becoming the fullest version of myself. So much so, that I can stand in confidence as I’m being inducted in the Hall of Honor knowing that nothing came easy, but was so worth the effort.

Let this be a reminder that those character building hard times don’t last forever, and can ultimately contribute to you showing up even stronger than before.

3) Your relationships matter tremendously

It’s full circle to receive this honor alongside my college sweetheart, husband and now father of my children, Jeff. He and I met in 2005 and we would discuss all we wanted to accomplish on the track and in life. And now after all those years, both of us experiencing the pinnacle of sport, 12 years of marriage, three houses, and two children later, we are living in the middle of answered prayers and accomplished dreams. It’s mind blowing that track brought us together, and still serves as a common thread that binds us to this very day.

Track also helped me meet some of my best friends and cultivate relationships that were impactful. From the college teammates that stood as bridesmaids in my wedding, to my post college training partners that became like sisters, I thank them all for helping to bring out the best in me both on and off the track.

I’ve talked about the importance of nuturing relationships (read this blog) but now that I’ve retired I appreciate the importance of truly honoring the relationships you make along the way even more than before.

Receiving this honor has caused me to reflect on everything that brought me to this point in life, and even though the accolades and experiences were incredible, the relationships I made along the way were top tier.

I harp on the importance of community because I have seen firsthand just how large of a difference it can make on someone’s fulfillment in life. Enjoying those special moments are sweeter when you’re able to celebrate them alongside your loved ones.

The fact that I’ll be able to be honored in front of my family, friends, coaches, and support team who all contributed to my success as an athlete is something that I value deeply.

Track opened doors that I never even imagined possible, and it’s not lost on me that being back in the state where it all began to be inducted into the University’s most prestigious Hall of Honor, will probably be one of my greatest achievements to date. Not to mention that I will cherish my full body of work even more so now that I’m on the other side of retirement from sport.

I have great appreciation for every single person who has poured into me, whether that be via an encouraging text, a vote of support, a prayer, or in any way. Heading back to Michigan to have my name written alongside the greats is not only a win for me, but for everyone who has helped me along the way.

Thanks for being on this journey with me!

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