JOURNAL

JOURNAL ARCHIVE

August 15,2007

What a great time I had being the guest speaker for 24 Hours Fitness. Over 400 managers and district managers gathered at the Rio in Las Vegas for a huge basketball themed conference in which I spoke.

The Chairman of the Board, Mark Mastrov, founded the company in 1983 when he borrowed $15,000 from his grandmother. He has quickly created a business empire that is now expanding their brand into China. They have franchises owned by the likes of Magic Johnson and Lance Armsrong. The CEO of the company is Carl Liebert. He is a passnate and energetic leader who played college basketball at the Naval Academy and was the roommate for four years with David Robinson.

I vividly recall calling Carl's games in college and I am so happy to see that he has taken the skills he has learned in basketball to the corporate world.  He is certainly on the fast track in the business world and I was so pleased to learn that he was recently named as a board member to the V Foundation for Cancer Research.  Carl made a terrific hire in former Duke basketball star and National Player of the Year, Jason Williams. Jason was there for the conference and I am so thrilled to see that he has moved on in such a positive way after his outstanding basketball career. The entire conference was a blast and my wife and I were thrilled to be a part of it.

 

While in Vegas, my wife and I had to catch a performance by one of the all time best in Vegas - Danny Gans. We have seen him over a half dozen times and each time he blows me away more than the last.

 

August 1, 2007

My family and I flew to Napa Valley, CA to be the host of a spectacular three days of events for the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research. Every year they put together a first class fundraiser to raise dollars to beat cancer. Past hosts for the wine celebration in Napa include Coach K and Lou Holtz. My wife and I were honored, to say the least, when Bob and Kay Lloyd and the members of the V Foundation asked us to be the hosts for this incredible weekend.

The celebration started on Thursday night with a private dinner for the members of the Founders Club (donors of $500,000 to the Foundation). Lorraine and I had the chance to mingle with some wonderful people and enjoy an amazing meal in a picturesque setting. Friday night we had a dinner in which Tracy and Lou Ann O'Rourke hosted at Phelps Winery for about 60 people. At the conclusion of the dinner we all listened to the inspiring video of Jimmy V that he gave at the ESPY's.

Saturday night was the big gala for over 400 people. There is a wine auction that is second to none...you have to see it to believe it. At this gala I had the opportunity to speak to the crowd about the V Foundation and what it means to me. I am thrilled to announce that at this gala we had 2 new Founder Club members join and 25 new President Club members join ($50,000 donations). In all, the event raised an astonishing $3.9 million. The night concluded with everyone dancing away to the music of Hall and Oates. My wife and I were so thrilled to be a part of this amazing weekend.

For more photos from the Napa Wine Celebration, please click here

Sunday, August 5, 2007

My family and I flew from Napa Valley to San Diego, CA. That afternoon we were the guests of the San Diego Padres and watched them play the San Francisco Giants.

PETCO Park is truly a beautiful park and I had so much fun spending time with manager Bud Black and his team. We even got a "behind the scenes" tour of the stadium...my grandkids loved the chance to see the locker rooms and dugouts.

While in San Diego, my wife and I had a ball with our five grandkids going to the San Diego Zoo, Legoland and The Journey Through Africa Safari. It was a special week filled with lots and lots of fun!