Jim Valvano and the V Foundation

As I wrote about yesterday, I watched the Jimmy V Classic Monday night.

Every time I see a clip on Valvano, either running around the court after they won the Championship, or a clip from his famous speech at the ESPY in 1993, or any other mention of Jimmy V., it brings a smile to my face.  It’s not only that I knew Jimmy, and liked him a lot, but also because seeing him reminds me of my late mother, a story that I want to share.

First of all, Jimmy was a fun, fun guy.  Always full of energy, always full of life, always on the move.  I remember one time I was at NC State to see a practice, and it was almost time for practice to start, so I went to look for him.  I came to a corner and BOOM, Jimmy ran straight into me as he was hustling to practice and about knocked me over.  Taking a charge was never one of my strengths.  A terrific coach, who loved his players and he loved the competition.  I always enjoyed going to his practices as they were robust, lively and he always had some great quips.

A number of years ago, there used to be a All-Star type tournament in Hawaii after the college season had ended.  It involved players who were probably going to be in the NBA Draft that June and the 4 teams were coached by college coaches, different coaches each year.

One year Jimmy V. was coaching one of the teams and we happened to run into each other on the beach.  I don’t mean like the other time, I mean we saw each other and started talking about basketball, some of his players, stuff like that.  Well, it got kind of hot, so we went out into the surf (scouting can be tough sometimes) and  continued talking and talking.  After a couple of hours, I went back up to my room. I had brought my wife, our two sons and my mom with me to Hawaii, for a little vacation while I had to work my butt off scouting.

When I got to the room, my mom came running up to me all upset.  She had been watching
Valvano and me from our balcony, about 10 floors up.  She said,”what’s wrong with that man?”  ”Why was he so mad at you?”  ”I almost called security because I thought you two were about to fight.”  I explained to her that he was Jimmy Valvano, the coach at North Carolina State, who she then recognized, and we were just talking.

She couldn’t hear us, but she saw all our hand movements and thought we were angry. I explained that Jimmy was Italian, and that was the way he talked, with his hands.  My mom was a very gentle person, who loved to laugh.  When she realized everything was fine, she just laughed at her being overly concerned.  She got to meet Jimmy later, and when I told him the story, we all laughed and he gave her a big hug. She loved him ever after.

Jimmy V’s courage when he was sick with cancer was so courageous.  He has been an inspiration to so many people through the years, continuing to today.  The V Foundation for Cancer Research has raised over $80 million dollars over the years, with 100% going to research.  What a great legacy for a fine, brave man.

Ironically, my mother had just been diagnosed with cancer a month earlier, and passed away within the year. That gentle woman, who loved to laugh, and that gregarious Italian, who loved to laugh, will always be linked in my mind.