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Wooten, a former construction company truck driver, retired and joined the Miami University football equipment staff in 1996. Since that time, he has not only supported the team through his physical efforts, he has earned a place in the hearts and minds of hundreds of players and/or coaches who have passed through the system.
 
The latter became even more apparent, recently, after Wooten received word that cancer was ravaging his body. Already a survivor of multiple heart attacks and a stroke, Wooten is now receiving support and encouragement from the scores who he supported through the years. Former coaches, current coaches, former players, current players, equipment workers, young, old – all hold fond memories of Wooten and best wishes for him.
 
Born in Trenton, Ohio on April 14, 1938, Wooten was a two-sport athlete at Talawanda High School in Oxford , quarterbacking the Braves' football team and playing basketball. He joined Don "Donzer" Miller's equipment crew at Miami in 1996 and has stayed on to serve with Darrell Hallberg's staff over the past four years.

"Although we are some 40 years apart in age," said Hallberg, "Lyman `Tootie' Wooten is one of my greatest friends. There are days when he acts as our father figure in the equipment room, and there are days when he is just one of the guys.

STICKING WITH IT

“When I was first hired here at Miami, he told me he didn't know if he had it in him to stay around and if he wanted to work with the "new guy" and learn a new system. I cannot tell you how thankful I am that he decided to stay. Over the past three years we have become the best of friends. We have worked together, traveled together, played practical jokes together, cried together, and celebrated together,” Hallberg said.  “Whether he is working at football practice, attending softball games, washing laundry … or sitting in his usual seats in Millett Hall for basketball season, he truly cares for our student athletes and our athletic program. There is no better man with no bigger heart than Tootie."

Senior defensive lineman Jordain Brown credits Wooten’s caring ways with helping him through some tough times.

"For most of my career at Miami, whether he knows it or not, Tootie has pushed me to do better and continue playing the game of football,"  Brown said. "As a freshman, I was frustrated because of a lack of playing time. At one point, I wanted to leave Miami and play elsewhere. Then, after one of our practices that following spring, Tootie pulled me aside and told me how good I looked at practice, how he noticed me working really hard, and that he was excited to watch me play.

“All it took was a few kind words from him to make me realize that I could play at Miami and that leaving wasn't the answer,” Brown continued.  “After that conversation, Tootie remains to be my motivation. My friendship with him has helped me to fight through adversity and strive for success."

Upon taking over the RedHawks football program before the 2009 season, former Miami Head Coach Michael Haywood was quickly impressed with Wooten on a number of levels.

TREMENDOUS WORK ETHIC
"When I first walked into the equipment room and saw Tootie, I thought, `Who is this guy?' Then I saw how hard he worked and how many hours he put in, even as a volunteer. It immediately became apparent to me that he has unbelievable dedication and loyalty to Miami. His tremendous work ethic is undeniable,” Haywood said.  “The players … display a great deal of love and respect for him. I found myself looking forward to my visits in the equipment room, just so I could see and talk to him. His stories and his bubbly personality always put me in great spirits.”

Haywood continued, “During my time at Miami, Tootie always a found a way to get the guys going, whether it was coming out to practice dressed in full gear, dancing to the music during Thursday practices, or simply bringing the team up after they stretched to lead them in a break down. His ability to inspire our players never ceased to amaze me; it was always a great way to start the day.”

Senior Matt Kennedy recalled one particularly memorable – and productive – day.
“On a Tuesday practice during our stretching and warmups, Tootie came running out in an old uniform and pants with armbands and eye black and his pot belly stretching … out of his jersey. Even during one of the most miserable days of the week, Tootie and his spirit brought the team to an uproar. Everyone, me included, was overcome with laughter.

“He has a charm about him, and an amazing ability to change the entire team's attitude,” Kennedy said. “After our warm-ups, Tootie broke us down on the (midfield) M (icon) and it sent chills down my spine to see someone who, after all of these years, still had such passion and love for this program. After the breakdown, the team had an unbelievably spirited practice. From then on, Tootie broke us down, and it lead to the best practices and the games our team would play that year."

Wooten’s team breakdown resonated, as well, with former player Nate Williams. “The day Tootie came out and broke down the team really made me happy - to know how deep and strong Mother Miami athletics (is, and how it) has changed (lives) and become a vital part of people's lives."

CLASSIC 'GIVER
"In this world, there are givers and there are takers," said Lance Guidry, currently a defensive coordinator at Western Kentucky and previously Miami 's Interim Head Coach for the 2011 Godaddy.com Bowl, "Tootie is the epitome of the word `giver.’ He is a giver of his time, his service, and, most importantly, his heart!"

Guidry and the RedHawks were able to give something back to Wooten late last year when they upset Northern Illinois to win a MAC Championship and followed with a victory over Middle Tennessee State in the GoDaddy.com bowl. The dramatic stretch run allowed Miami to become the first team in Division I history to go from double digit losses to double digit wins over consecutive seasons. The victory over NIU also provided Wooten with a favorite Miami football moment.

"It was late in the game, fourth down and 20 yards to go," he said "We needed a damn miracle ... and we got one!"  Austin Boucher’s pass went off a defender’s hands and into the hands of a Miami ’s Chris Givens for a 31-yard pickup. Two plays later, Miami cashed in for the winning touchdown. When the game clock hit zero a few minutes later, it was time for celebration – and eventually a time to gather equipment for the trip home.”

THERE THROUGH GOOD TIMES AND BAD
"Tootie was there with us through the trials of just three wins in two seasons," senior safety Anthony Kokal said. "He also was there as we triumphed through this past victorious season, winning our conference championship and the bowl game. He is the epitome of a Miami man and a true role model for all of us student-athletes. Now, in his hour of need, his greatest test-- the fight for his life--we have to become Tootie's motivator.“

"When the team found out Tootie had cancer, it broke our hearts," senior offensive lineman Matt Kennedy said. "Recently, (teammate) Ryan Kennedy and I had a chance to have a long talk with Tootie about football and his cancer. Throughout our conversation he was in high spirits. The only thing he had trouble dealing with was the time he had to spend away from his team and from the program."

"I asked Tootie (once) why he has volunteered at Miami for so long, and his answer had me rolling in laughter,” recalled Chad Burns, a fellow equipment staffer who is 50 years Wooten’s junior. “In his thick, southern Ohio accent he told me, `I just love being around the guys ... being a part of the team. It keeps me going. I am not about to just sit around and get all crusty!'"

As with every August, there is plenty of work to be done. For Wooten, it is a labor of love for a program he loves.

'REALLY A TREASURE'
“The longer I’m here, the more I see how connected he is to Miami football. He is really a treasure,” said current RedHawks Head Coach Don Treadwell, a Miami grad and former MU player. “Even in the midst of his current adversity, you would never know it. He looks at the positive side of life. Over the past seven months, I’ve learned just how special of a man he is.”

“Very few people can make an organization better by simply being a part of it, but that’s exactly what Tootie does,” special teams coach Zak Willis said. “Through this tough time, God has granted us all the opportunity to observe how a true “Miami Man” handles adversity.”
 
Every one seeks joy in life, and Wooten has found a fountain. He also has found a way to share that joy, and it is in sharing that he enriches so many.

“Tootie is a blessing for us all, and for that we are thankful,” Willis said.

Note: MRO extends special thanks to the Miami Athletic Department for information contained in this story.