If you apply the characteristics used in the game of baseball to the game of life, you will be on the right path to lead a fulfilling, productive life.

That’s the message former Indiana Gov. Joe Kernan gave to a group gathered in Tri-State University’s Fabiani Theatre as part of the university’s Distinguished Speaker Series on Monday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.

Kernan gave a short biographical sketch of his life in baseball to lead into a discussion of the larger world of public service. He described holding the hand of his grandfather, a minor league player, manager, and scout, as he visited ballparks throughout Indiana and the Chicago area.

A three-time South Bend, Ind., mayor and former lieutenant governor and governor in the Hoosier state, he represented the third generation of his family in the game when he played for the University of Notre Dame in college.

He became involved in politics and public service at the urging of his parents, who believed strongly in community service. The skills such as teamwork, competitiveness, and perseverance he needed to serve as South Bend controller and mayor, and later as the state’s highest official, “were rooted in team sports,” he said.

A navy flight officer, he served 11 months as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam after being shot down May 7, 1972, on his 26th reconnaissance mission. He called it “the most difficult thing, but best thing, I ever did, because I learned more about myself, others, teamwork, and supporting others because of the intensity and uncertainty,” he said.

Because of our great good fortune as Americans, we shoulder great responsibilities, he said. “I wouldn’t trade my public service  for anything in the world,” he said. He admonished the students in the crowd to “take the chances to make a difference in the world.” He called prejudice, bigotry, and racism the biggest world challenges to overcome.

He now heads a group of 40 investors who purchased the Midwest League Class A South Bend Silver Hawks baseball team in 2005. He called that association “a dream come true,” and said he bought into the team because he thought it needed some local ownership to keep it in South Bend.

He reserved the latter part of his presentation for questions and answers, fielding questions about politics, baseball, voluntarism, and his Vietnam War experience before accepting a gift of appreciation from Dr. David Finley, Vice President for Academic Affairs to close the evening.