Leah Deyneka’s phone has been ringing off the hook all this week. And before she hears the person on the other end, she already knows what it’s going to be about: Apolo Ohno’s visit to Syracuse University.

Ohno, the most successful speed skater in American history, will be at SU Saturday to promote his Oct. 26-released book, ‘Zero Regrets: Be Greater Than Yesterday,’ in the University Bookstore in the Schine Student Center. The stop is part of 19 different book signings Ohno will do in as many days. He is also stopping at Johns Hopkins University and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Deyneka, the academic support coordinator for the bookstore’s general book department, said the interest has been overwhelming with students, faculty, off-campus residents and people out of state. The Syracuse Speed Skating Club called to ask her questions about his visit as well.

Ohno is part Japanese and was raised by his father who immigrated to this country. Ohno is the most decorated Winter Olympian in American history, amassing eight medals, including two gold medals from the 2002 and 2006 games. The short track speed skater also became recognizable during his appearance on the reality television show ‘Dancing with the Stars’ during the show’s fourth season, coming in first place.

‘Apolo Ohno is an iconic Olympian,’ said Mike Veley, chair of the sport management department. ‘He captured the pulse of America during his Olympic run, and a lot of people are just fascinated by the accomplishments he made as a speed skater and would love the opportunity to meet him live and in person.’

Veley said now is the best time for Ohno to market himself.

‘Somebody like Apolo Ohno has a short shelf-life in terms of his popularity and his ability to promote himself, so he’s got to get out and move from city to city and put as much hay in the barn as possible,’ he said.

David Brown, deputy director of publicity for Atria Books, reached out to Deyneka in late August, just around the time school was beginning, to see if the bookstore would be interested in having Ohno come in November, she said.

Because Ohno is riding on a bus from city to city, Brown said the goal was to hit two or three cities a day, located close together. After determining the geography of the tour, Brown looked at demographics and appropriate college towns.

Ohno is scheduled to arrive at the bookstore at 3 p.m. Attendees will have their book signed on a first-come, first-served basis with bookstore greeters handing out tickets when people arrive.

Deyneka said the publisher told her Ohno could sign 400 books in an hour. Depending on how many people show up and how long Ohno stays at SU, there is no guarantee every book will be signed. Ohno is traveling from Albany to Syracuse and then leaving for a signing in Buffalo.

‘We’re telling people to get here as early as you can if you really want to meet him and get the autograph,’ Deyneka said. ‘He’s going to do everything he can to get everybody signed, but if it’s so overwhelming, then he will have to get on his tour bus.’

Brown said there is a risk not every book could be signed, but he does not see it as too much of an issue.

‘I would be surprised if any book is left unsigned. Apolo has said he doesn’t want to leave anyone disappointed,’ Brown said.

To get the word out that Ohno would be at SU, the bookstore has been putting up posters, spreading out postcards in the dining halls, placing sandwich boards outside and sending a mass e-mail to every SU student.

Liz Reyes, a junior who plans to get to the bookstore more than an hour before his arrival, said she finds Ohno inspiring because of his story coming from a family that has an immigrant background and his will to achieve.

‘I look up to him because he sets his mind on a goal and puts 100 percent toward it,’ she said. ‘He doesn’t give up. I think that all of us can look up to that even if we are not Asian or sports fanatics.’

dgproppe@syr.edu

Published on November 3, 2010 at 12:00 pm