It was All About the Game.
I don’t know why I became addicted to basketball at an early age. But, I did. I played and played and played, making my ninth-grade junior high school all-Star basketball team, which was, more or less, the peak of my athletic stardom. But I continued to play, and play, and play, on county rec teams, on church teams, and in pick-up games, until I couldn’t play anymore.
Somewhere along the way, I got a chance to work for the Utah Jazz, and all my gym rat buddies said it was the perfect job for me. I think it was. For more than 28 years.
Somewhere along the way, I got a chance to work for the Utah Jazz, and all my gym rat buddies said it was the perfect job for me. I think it was. For more than 28 years.
The Jazz is One of the Great Sports Stories Ever.
When I retired, I decided to commemorate my career (in the office, not so much on the court) by writing a book about my experiences. But then I also decided to write about the historic and much more memorable events of the Jazz as Jerry Sloan, John Stockton, Karl Malone, Jeff Hornacek, Thurl Bailey, Mark Eaton, and other greats made their march towards the finals.
It’s really quite a remarkable story. The Jazz story. Not mine.
What I loved most about their adventure was that they stayed together, and they never, ever, ever gave up until, like me, they couldn’t play at the same level anymore. But, in the process, they created one of the greatest sports legacies of all time.
I got to watch all of this happen, but from a slightly different perspective. No, I wasn’t on the team, but I was technically part of the team, and I got to rub shoulders with these guys every once in a while, at their discretion. And I learned a little bit about what goes into making a championship-caliber player as well as a championship-caliber person.
It’s really quite a remarkable story. The Jazz story. Not mine.
What I loved most about their adventure was that they stayed together, and they never, ever, ever gave up until, like me, they couldn’t play at the same level anymore. But, in the process, they created one of the greatest sports legacies of all time.
I got to watch all of this happen, but from a slightly different perspective. No, I wasn’t on the team, but I was technically part of the team, and I got to rub shoulders with these guys every once in a while, at their discretion. And I learned a little bit about what goes into making a championship-caliber player as well as a championship-caliber person.
Writing the Book was a Process.
It took me more than a year to write this book. And I didn’t start out with the idea of publishing it. I wrote approximately one chapter a month, and I only wrote when I felt like it. I was surprised as each chapter began to take shape, more or less chronologically.
When some noteworthy event resurfaced as I mulled over each chapter, I made a note or wrote about it, tucking it in position in one of the chapters, starting with Chapter One, called Beginnings, and so on until the final chapter, called Hanging Up the Jersey, was written.
Eventually, encouraged by some friends who were Jazz fans, I sought out a publisher. I talked with several publishing firms and found out that most of them want to help you publish your book by the numbers. I wanted to receive more personal attention and have more leeway for creativity.
Then, I found Elliott Wolf, owner of Peanut Butter Publishing and Classic Day Publishing. When I was reluctant to send him a manuscript, he said, “If you are worried about someone stealing it, print it off and mail it to yourself and leave it untouched. Don’t ever open it. Then, you’ll always have the original manuscript with a postmark on it and undeniable proof that it is yours.” That’s all I needed to hear. Elliott was my guy! We formed a partnership, and I began working closely with Danielle Harvey, a very accomplished, excellent editor, and Amy Vaughn, creative director for the book. She did all the eye-catching artwork for the cover as well as the layout for the book.
When some noteworthy event resurfaced as I mulled over each chapter, I made a note or wrote about it, tucking it in position in one of the chapters, starting with Chapter One, called Beginnings, and so on until the final chapter, called Hanging Up the Jersey, was written.
Eventually, encouraged by some friends who were Jazz fans, I sought out a publisher. I talked with several publishing firms and found out that most of them want to help you publish your book by the numbers. I wanted to receive more personal attention and have more leeway for creativity.
Then, I found Elliott Wolf, owner of Peanut Butter Publishing and Classic Day Publishing. When I was reluctant to send him a manuscript, he said, “If you are worried about someone stealing it, print it off and mail it to yourself and leave it untouched. Don’t ever open it. Then, you’ll always have the original manuscript with a postmark on it and undeniable proof that it is yours.” That’s all I needed to hear. Elliott was my guy! We formed a partnership, and I began working closely with Danielle Harvey, a very accomplished, excellent editor, and Amy Vaughn, creative director for the book. She did all the eye-catching artwork for the cover as well as the layout for the book.
What Happened on the Court is Inspiring.
The team’s exploits during this 25-year run to the NBA Finals are quite inspiring (you can get a glimpse of some of them on this website under the tab called “Excerpts”). They feature at least three of the fiercest competitors to ever play the game: John Stockton, Karl Malone, and Michael Jordan.
What Happened in the Office was Instructive.
On the business side, you’ll read about some of the challenges we all face in a workplace environment, along with some ideas about maximizing your own experience in that arena. I’ve even included some advice for business people in the form of “Takeaways” at the end of each chapter. These are things we all learn sooner or later from our own missteps as well as from our good decisions. One of the things I learned was not to take myself too seriously. You might see that reflected in my writing.
You’ll Enjoy this Ride!
That’s what Lee Benson of the Deseret News, Craig Bolerjack, the voice of the Jazz, Thurl Bailey, and others said in so many words without too much prompting from me.
I hope you buy this book. I don’t necessarily need the money but would love to sell a few just for my ego. My wife says it’s a “good read” (she didn’t say “great read”—but I’m going to go with that). Personally, I think you will enjoy reading this book if you are a Jazz fan…or even if you’re not. At the least, you’ll get a glimpse of what the world of professional basketball looks like on the inside, from a guy who also just happened to enjoy the ride.
I hope you buy this book. I don’t necessarily need the money but would love to sell a few just for my ego. My wife says it’s a “good read” (she didn’t say “great read”—but I’m going to go with that). Personally, I think you will enjoy reading this book if you are a Jazz fan…or even if you’re not. At the least, you’ll get a glimpse of what the world of professional basketball looks like on the inside, from a guy who also just happened to enjoy the ride.