immediately we were talking about it . It was very interesting when they adjusted us and told us exactly what the nervous system was doing . We went to practice and felt different ; we felt good . After that , we were making all kinds of NAIA national records .”
During Dr . Rotich and Misoi ’ s careers , Life University won three NAIA Championships in cross country and numerous individual titles in indoor and outdoor track and field .
“ We kept on talking about why we are doing so good . Of course , we had the discipline to train well , but at the same time , we realized we were not having any injuries at all because Dr . Downes and Dr . Rau were always at our meets ,” noted Dr . Rotich . “ They had a booth , and when you finished a race , you ran to the booth and got checked , and before the race , they checked us too . Misoi and I , along with all the other athletes who were there during Mike Spino ’ s time , we never really sustained any major injury that kept us out of the race or something . Other students from other universities that we were talking to that were also from Kenya had all kinds of injuries . We looked at it and said ‘ The only difference might be Chiropractic .’ And for me , I also had other health issues that resolved immediately after I got chiropractic care .”
Silah Misoi majored in Business Administration while at Life U and graduated in the year 2000 . All along his journey , he felt like he was at home .
“ I was treated very well from the time I joined there . I didn ’ t have any problems . My coach , Mike Spino , just acted like a father all along . While there , I was a long-distance runner . As you know , most Kenyans are long-distance runners . I did Track and Field , mainly 3,000 meters , 5,000 and 10,000 . For Cross Country , we were doing 8 kilometers . I ’ m happy to say I think I performed in the era , for the four years I represented the University , I performed well . Until recently , Dr . Spino told me they managed to break my 5,000 meters record . They haven ’ t broken my NAIA record for 3,000 meters . Apart from running for the University , we had the opportunity to also do invitational meets . I think one of the records still outstanding today is one we used to do every year called Mayor ’ s Cup . I had the record of 22 minutes and 52 seconds . I remember very well .”
“ Misoi and I feel like this is the right time for Kenya ,” explains Dr . Rotich . “ Eldoret is known as the ‘ City of Champions .’ This is a goldmine for Chiropractic really for it to shine and show its potential easily .”
When Dr . Rotich and Misoi were at Life U , they would often discuss ways of giving back to their community [ in Kenya ] by maybe bringing the idea of Chiropractic there . Understanding that Chiropractic was something that most people wouldn ’ t understand , they shelved the idea until Misoi returned to Kenya in 2010 . From then on , it was a discussion that they would continue to have throughout the years as Dr . Rotich was practicing in the States in Alabama .
“ Fortunately , I was employed at the University of Eldoret ,” explained Misoi , “ and as we were thinking and talking about it , the opportunity of the [ Life U Athletics ] Hall of Fame induction came in .”
Life University Athletic Director Jayme Pendergast presents Athletics Hall of Fame plaque to 2019 inductee Silah Misoi .
Misoi was inducted into Life University ’ s very first Hall of Fame class in December 2019 , and Dr . Rotich attended as a guest to see his induction , along with their Head Coach Dr . Spino ’ s induction as well .
“ When I came there , we had a discussion with Dr . Rotich , and in the speech that I gave , I proposed the idea of having a collaboration between the University of Eldoret and Life University ,” remarked Misoi . “ When I came back [ to Kenya ], I didn ’ t know that the idea was going to be fruitful . I was very happy when Dr . Downes wrote me a message that he was interested in initiating that idea of collaboration . So I had the opportunity to talk to University management here , and it was a hard time because you have to explain something that people don ’ t understand ; it ’ s not that easy .”
After successfully getting across at least an introductory idea about the chiropractic profession to his management , Misoi immediately reached out to Dr . Downes and Dr . Rotich with the good news .
“ I told Dr . Downes and Dr . Rotich that they were ready to hear more about Chiropractic , and that ’ s when Dr . Downes set up a Zoom meeting . I think [ Life U ] did a very good job of explaining more about Chiropractic than I initially had done . After a little while , we drafted up a Memorandum of Understanding , and the University of Eldoret and Life University both signed . It ’ s really a great joy , and I ’ m looking forward to more partnership between both parties going forward .”
With the Memorandum of Understanding between Life U and the University of Eldoret , student exchanges and enrollment at Life U can begin .
“ Misoi and I feel like this is the right time for Kenya ,” explains Dr . Rotich . “ Eldoret is known as the ‘ City of Champions .’ This is a goldmine for Chiropractic really for it to shine and show its potential easily . I do think when we incorporate Chiropractic in this city , Eldoret , this is when we are going to see Chiropractic grow — not only in terms of the awareness , but globally because the athletes here will carry the message wherever they go .”
Alumni . LIFE . edu | 2021
61