Upcoming Appearances and Book Signings
Local Author Pens Utah Jazz Tale
Long Shots and Layups—Michael G. Snarr
Michael Snarr, who worked in sponsorship sales for the Utah Jazz for over 28 years, has released a memoir about his experiences in the front office of the Utah Jazz while they made their historic run to the NBA Finals. From 1986–2015, the Jazz team, headlined by John Stockton, Karl Malone, Jeff Hornacek, Thurl Bailey, Mark Eaton, and others, qualified for the NBA Playoffs for 19 years, making it all the way to the finals twice, where they faced Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in what has become the classic NBA matchup. More people watched the 1998 NBA Finals than any other series in NBA history. Now retired, Snarr penned his journey and the remarkable story of the Utah Jazz’s exploits in a new book called Long Shots and Layups: Memories and Stories from the Golden Era of the Utah Jazz.
In his various roles in the organization, including serving as Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Snarr worked with a myriad of premiere local and national companies to help forge Jazz partnerships, placing himself in the era of a new path in professional basketball. He worked with players, coaches, and other front office personnel to help promote the Jazz while creating opportunities for key sponsors.
“It took me over a year to write the rough draft alone,” he said. “Originally, I just wanted to put down on paper some of the things that happened during my career that might be helpful for my children as they started their careers. But, as I began to write, a flood of memories resurfaced, and I began to chronicle them in various chapters.” Each chapter covers an aspect of how a professional basketball franchise functions, from drafting players, hiring coaches, building team spirit, and creating a team and business culture that can lead to success on and off the court.
Thurl Bailey said, “Mike Snarr does a great job aptly describing the events that brought us all together on our march to the NBA Finals.” Many of the stories are light and humorous but also quite inspiring. One story describes how John and Karl competed every day, even against each other in practices and scrimmages, while other stories explore the business side of things as the front office worked to create awareness and fan support. Craig Bolerjack said of the book and the author: “Mike is a great friend, but an even better story teller.”
The book contains 15 chapters with photos from the Jazz era and is approximately 340 pages in length. It is available at longshotsandlayups.com, on amazon.com, and in select book stores, including The King’s English Bookshop and Eborn Books in Salt Lake City and Marissa’s Books in Holladay.
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For more information, contact Danielle Harvey at Classic Day Publishing. The author can be reached at mike@snarrcommunications.com or (801) 580-2224.
Michael Snarr, who worked in sponsorship sales for the Utah Jazz for over 28 years, has released a memoir about his experiences in the front office of the Utah Jazz while they made their historic run to the NBA Finals. From 1986–2015, the Jazz team, headlined by John Stockton, Karl Malone, Jeff Hornacek, Thurl Bailey, Mark Eaton, and others, qualified for the NBA Playoffs for 19 years, making it all the way to the finals twice, where they faced Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in what has become the classic NBA matchup. More people watched the 1998 NBA Finals than any other series in NBA history. Now retired, Snarr penned his journey and the remarkable story of the Utah Jazz’s exploits in a new book called Long Shots and Layups: Memories and Stories from the Golden Era of the Utah Jazz.
In his various roles in the organization, including serving as Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Snarr worked with a myriad of premiere local and national companies to help forge Jazz partnerships, placing himself in the era of a new path in professional basketball. He worked with players, coaches, and other front office personnel to help promote the Jazz while creating opportunities for key sponsors.
“It took me over a year to write the rough draft alone,” he said. “Originally, I just wanted to put down on paper some of the things that happened during my career that might be helpful for my children as they started their careers. But, as I began to write, a flood of memories resurfaced, and I began to chronicle them in various chapters.” Each chapter covers an aspect of how a professional basketball franchise functions, from drafting players, hiring coaches, building team spirit, and creating a team and business culture that can lead to success on and off the court.
Thurl Bailey said, “Mike Snarr does a great job aptly describing the events that brought us all together on our march to the NBA Finals.” Many of the stories are light and humorous but also quite inspiring. One story describes how John and Karl competed every day, even against each other in practices and scrimmages, while other stories explore the business side of things as the front office worked to create awareness and fan support. Craig Bolerjack said of the book and the author: “Mike is a great friend, but an even better story teller.”
The book contains 15 chapters with photos from the Jazz era and is approximately 340 pages in length. It is available at longshotsandlayups.com, on amazon.com, and in select book stores, including The King’s English Bookshop and Eborn Books in Salt Lake City and Marissa’s Books in Holladay.
###
For more information, contact Danielle Harvey at Classic Day Publishing. The author can be reached at mike@snarrcommunications.com or (801) 580-2224.