Brokenhearted? The doctor is in
The date doctor is not an urban myth. His name is David Coleman, and he’s coming to USU on April 21 to share some of his knowledge.
“Where is it said that learning can’t be fun and entertainment can’t be life-changing?” Coleman said. He said he lives by this axiom every day.
When Coleman was a sophomore in college, he could meet women effortlessly without ulterior motives. He said his friends did not have those skills, but realized if they hung around him they’d be able to meet more women and be able to develop a relationship from there. If things weren’t going well, or if they had questions on what they should do, his friends would ask for advice from Coleman, and he said he would happily help them out.
Later, Coleman became the student activities director at Bowling Green State University where he started a program called Creative Dating, in which he would give cheap date ideas and other advice. The word spread, and soon he said he was giving presentations to other colleges and groups across the country.
While at a National Association of Campus Activities (NACA) conference, Coleman talked with a group of program coordinators from USU including Chase Casillas, a senior in English and activities director for ASUSU. Coleman captured Casillas’ interest, which paved the way for this week’s event.
“It was a collective decision to bring him here,” Casillas said. “He’ll break down notions on what dating should be.”
Casillas said Coleman will say “stuff that you really need to hear” but may not want to.
“They’re gonna get a rude awakening, which is fine since it will be fun and humorous,” he said.
Coleman said 90 percent of people get excited after hearing him speak, but the other 10 percent hate him.
“When there are diametrically opposed sides to a topic, such as the death penalty, abortion or certain stances on relationships, it’s always hard to please everyone,” he said.
Amelia Moore, a freshman in elementary education, said she’s going to try to go hear Coleman speak.
“It would be interesting to hear what he has to say and his advice on dating and who certain people should date and how to get people’s attention,” she said.
Coleman said he’s refreshingly honest and candid and he will give practical advice without compromising values.
“(Coleman)’s genuine and up front,” Casillas said. “He will bring out the dating scene and all the taboos about it.”
There will be opportunities for discussion during the event, and Coleman recommends everyone bring at least one question on dating, romance, sex, why men and women are the way they are, marriage, divorce or anything else about relationships. Coleman also recommends everyone bring two friends.
Moore said she has a few questions she’d like answered.
“How do you make yourself appealing to the people you want to date? How can you know what people look for without having to ask them what they’re looking for? How do you know who you have a chance with? How do you determine between infatuation and love?” she said.
As a prelude to the event, Coleman offered some advice for single and dating people.
For those who are single, “Never mistake infatuation for love. Quit chasing the ones you can’t have for whatever reason; you pass up the ones you really want,” he said.
For married people, “Keep dating your spouse at least once a week or once every two weeks for a couple of hours. Remember what it’s like being social with your spouse,” Coleman said.
He also said to be aware that the person who’s least invested is controlling the relationship, something he’ll discuss in detail in his lecture.
Coleman said he will bring copies of two of his books and copies of his CD. One of the books is on leadership, and the other book and the CD are about dating. The dating book and CD will be sold for $20, and all three products will be sold for $25.
Coleman said all the proceeds from book and CD sales will go to charity. He said he is more concerned about covering expenses and educating people than making a profit.
Coleman was recently named 2011 Entertainer of The Year and 2011 Male Performer of the Year by Campus Activities Magazine. He has been named the National Speaker of the Year 13 times. He has spoken to over 2 million people at college campuses, conferences, corporations and civil groups across the United States, Canada and Europe.
Coleman will lecture in the Taggart Student Center Ballroom on Thursday at 8 p.m.
“It’s gonna blow minds,” Casillas said.
– spencer.palmer@aggiemail.usu.edu