Dr. J and NBRPA Sunday Night Sendoff Party ~ Pictures

With Dr. J

After the All-Star game, I went to the Dr. J (aka Julius Erving) NBRPA (National Basketball Retired Players Association) Sunday Night Sendoff Party.  The event was held at the Millenium Biltmore Hotel.



I wanted to attend the event so I could "officially" meet Jaleesa Hazzard and Dr. J.  ****  I used to play with a Dr. J basketball when I was a kid. 

Mission accomplished!  It was fun to see many retired players and mix and mingle. 

Other notables in the crowd were Walt Hazzard, Bill Walton, Dominique Wilkins, Charles Smith, etc.

Here are some of the better pictures from the event.

With Jaleesa Hazzard



With Bill Walton

Walt Hazzard and Dr. J



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"Holiday soiree" to support Atlanta Sports Connection (Atlanta Sports Complex), ELITE Unlimited, and Haute Behavior

In a season filled with holiday parties, my friend Jason Wright (i.e. who lives and works in Tennessee now) asked me to be his guest for a "Holiday Soiree" in Atlanta on Saturday.  Jason works for US Elite Training (i.e. link to the US Elite Training Youtube channel added to the right-side of this blog).  I just took another look at his email signature and it reads, "Director of Operations, US Elite Training and Therapy".  Thinking he was just heading to Atlanta for a holiday party with friends, jokingly, I asked him if Dominique Wilkins was going to be a the event.  To my surprise, Jason said, "Yes, he's on the list."  Umm, OK.  Jason made me curious.  ****  Jason and I met many years ago when he and I both used to live in Atlanta.  I moved away before he did, but I associate the city with him and the "Human Highlight Film". Unfortunately, unless I sell my ticket to the Miami Heat v Washington Wizards game in DC for that same night, I'm going to miss the event.

This is some information about the Atlanta Sports Complex and some details on the event in Atlanta tomorrow night (i.e. based on what I know from the press release, the various websites for Atlanta Sports Connection and US Elite Training, and my friend).

Atlanta Sports Connection, ELITE Unlimited, and Haute Behavior have joined forces to present “A Holiday Soiree,” an appreciation event that celebrates the corporations and individuals that have supported each organization. Atlanta’s elite will be able to mix and mingle amongst the glitterati while enjoying globally influenced southern soul food and signature cocktails compliments of Rare Soul Tapas.

In addition to Dominique Wilkins, other expected high profile guests include powerhouses: Brian Jordan, Bob Whitfield, Carlos Emmons, Jazzy Pha, Devyne Stevens, Ludacris, Akon, Chaka Zulu, Brian Michael Cox, Fredi Gonzalez, Orestes Destrade’ and a host of professional athletes.

****  The RSVP date was December 15, and the invitations were non-transferable, so if you're going I'm assuming you've already taken care of it.  I hesitate to put all the contact and venue information in the post since I'm not sure they want ALL the information out there for the public.

It's great to see such support for an outdoor, indoor, sports and training complex in Atlanta.  I recognize the value of fitness and proper training for competitive and recreational athletes. The Atlanta Sports Complex will accommodate, soccer, softball, lacrosse, basketball, and football, etc.  In addition, the venue will also serve as a locale for recreational events along with professional training and corporate programs.  The complex will also offer a sports and medicine component in order to prevent, diagnose, and treat injuries. 

It's great to see that Atlanta's elite will come out and support the complex's holistic approach to fitness, exercise, and wellness...  If I didn't have a conflict, I'd be there...


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ABOUT ATLANTA SPORTS CONNECTION

The Atlanta Sports Complex is a multi-entertainment, recreational sports facility that also focuses on corporate service offerings such as innovative programs for leadership development, employee training, team-building activities, leadership retreats, health and wellness, and dedicated meeting space for small to large companies. ASC’s core programs foster seasonal recreation for youth and adults and those seeking to participate in competitive sports leagues/tournaments. ASC will also partner with area orthopedic physicians and sports trainers to house an urgent care, sports rehabilitation and a sport-specific training center. For more information, visit www.atlantasportsconnection.com. Follow us on Twitter, @AtlSportConnect! Join our group on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=207627375397!

Happy belated birthday, Dominique Wilkins and Go Hawks!

View from a suite of the pre-game at Philips Arena, Celtics v Hawks ~ April 2008

Have I mentioned that I love sports? I think it was 2 years ago that, I went to 3 NBA playoff games in 3 consecutive nights in 2 different cities (Atlanta and Washington DC). If I remember correctly, the Hawks were playing the Celtics and the Cavs were playing the Wizards. My friend, Ricky (aka The Wolf), joked that not even Craig Sager has covered 3 playoff games in 3 consecutive nights in 2 different cities ~ and it's been a running joke between us ever since.

Ricky lives in Atlanta, where I used to reside, and I still have an affinity for the city and many friends that still live there. I've been a Atlanta Hawks fan since the days of Dominique Wilkins (aka The Human Highlight Film). Once, while I was in college, I bought a single standing room only ticket so I could go to Richfield Colosseum and see Dominique fly in person. Standing room only are three words that never scared me, because there are people that don't show up for events that they have tickets to, all the time! How wasteful, and in the words of my father, not very "cost effective". At the game I found a father-daughter combo to sit with and they were extremely welcoming once they found out I was by myself. With my eyes glued to the court, I told the father-daughter combo about a trip I took to the Crystal Palace in the Bahamas.

I was in college and on vacation with my dad. Whenever I had a long weekend, it seemed like we were in the Bahamas. Lucky me! Anyway, my dad and I were having lunch at the pool bar and I found myself staring at a man. Staring. I kept staring. Don't worry, he couldn't tell I was looking at him that hard ~ but I was determined to figure out who I was looking at. The man was sitting with a beautiful lady and also enjoying his lunch. My dad noticed I was distracted and asked me what my problem was. I kinda pointed and told him I knew that guy... My dad nonchalantly responded, "Of course you know who that is. He's one of your favorites, Dominique Wilkins."

HOLY CRAP! My dad was right! My internal voice starts screaming at me... Why am I sitting with my dad eating, when I can go meet Dominique?!?! OK ~ must be cool, I tell myself. I leap off my stool, head to my beach chair, and grab an index card and my camera and walk back to lunch with my dad. Index card?!?! Yes, I said index card. What do you expect? I was in COLLEGE. I was studying a little bit on the beach. Back at the beach bar, I wait. and I wait some more. It looks like Dominique and his lady are finished with lunch and getting ready to go back in. Now's my chance. Off my stool and over to the 2 of them I head. I tap him on the shoulder, explain that I'm a huge fan and his lady just sits patiently. He's kind enough to sign my index card and pose for a picture. I stll have both at my mom's house in a photo album. For me, those two items are priceless! As I walked away, I noticed Dominique was talking to another man, and I recognized him as Gerald Wilkins. I let that opportunity pass, because I did not care as much.

It's great to see Dominique at Philips Arena and to see the current success of the Hawks.

Coach Mike Woodson is a class act and one of the few people on the short list of folks who came to the house to check on Zydrunas post-surgery. I'm happy to see him successful after his years in Cleveland as Randy Wittman's assistant. Woody has always been very welcoming to me when I come to Atlanta and it's always great to see a friendly face. I call him once or twice a year and wish him luck, congratulate him on his sucess, and let him know if/when I'm coming to town. One night at Philips Arena, I ran into an old friend, Larry Nance at a Hawks game He was in town, and he noticed the Hawks were home so decided to call Coach Woodson and check out the Hawks. It's great to see the Hawks play as well as the have been, and I'm thrilled that Dominique Wilkins is still a part of the franchise and Woody is leading the charge.

Happy Belated Birthday, Dominique Wilkins, and Go Hawks (i.e. unless of course you're playing the Cleveland Cavaliers)!!!



Post game passes let me catch up with friends, when they're finished working.


Philips Arena, ran into Larry Nance, 2006

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