Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Your Phoenix Suns?

Tonight is the beginning of another season of the Phoenix Suns.  Many media cohorts have said the Suns will win anywhere from 20 to 25 games.  I happen to agree with them, but it's a different era of Suns basketball.  I've lived in Arizona all my life and my fandom with the Suns goes back since birth.  I remember players I looked up to as a kid. Alvin Adams, Paul Westphal and others.  Then as I got older, the players changed.  In came new players, Kevin Johnson, now head coach Jeff Hornacek, Charles Barkley to name a few.  Then the recent run with Shawn Marion, Amare Stoudemire and of course, Steve Nash.  Those teams were fun and those memories are pretty good.  I look around U.S. Airways Center, and see some of those names in the Ring of Honor, along with former trainer Joe Proski, the late Cotton Fitzsimmons and of course, my idol, broadcaster Al McCoy. 

Long gone are those names and teams, and the team is going through a massive rebuild.  Ever since Robert Sarver bought this team, the air of enthusiasm has emptied out of the arena.  Some have said it may be in his best interest to sell the team and get out of the business.  Who knows what the future holds.  Heck, maybe this rebuild will finally give this city, and Suns fans, what they have long wanted out of this organization, an NBA title.  Only the future holds the answer to that.

People have asked me for a couple of months, "Dave, why do you even want to bother with the Suns this year, they suck."  Well, that could be, but suck also pays the bills along with success.  As bad as this team may be, they are still a fixture in Phoenix.  All of the memories of success and failure, are all ingrained in the minds of longtime Suns fans.  I giggle at fans of other teams in town that bash and poo-poo the Suns, forgetting that their team has gone through equally as tough trials and tribulations like Suns fans are going through. 

Here's the simple fact as fans of the hometown teams.  We are all in this together.  Cardinals, Coyotes, Suns and Dbacks fans should wish each other well and hope for success, because that helps everyone out.  It helps the economy, it helps every team's ad rates, yes remember it's all still a business.  See, that why the new owners of the Phoenix Coyotes are at the season opener for the Suns.  They get it.  It's about a team atmosphere, with everyone working for one common goal: Victory. 

So, with that said, I wish all the success in the world to the Suns and everyone involved in the organization because even though this year could be very rough, in the future I feel it all will be worth it. 

Dave

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Bubba Fund Raising Efforts Update

Most of you who have read this blog, follow me on Twitter or are friends with me on Facebook, you know the last week or so my niece Nikki and I are getting stuff together for a fund raising drive for a special nine-year-old boy who is about to go through another round of treatments to try and shrink a softball sized tumor so doctors can remove it.  It's Stage 3 liver cancer, but the last treatment saw the tumor shrink slightly.  Bubba is his name, kinda it's what he goes by so that's fine by me. Nikki has put together a charity softball event for Sunday, October 27th.  I'll post the link to all of her information at the end of this blog.  The part that Nikki has trusted me in helping is an idea I had that is growing thanks to the help of a few others.  We have contacted quite a few sports entities in town for donations for a raffle and a silent auction.  We weren't turned down once with more coming.  We will start the raffle in the next day or so and have a great event planned leading into the softball event.  I'll have more information soon, but keep Saturday, October 26th open.  We are planning on getting together at a place for fun, karaoke and raising money for this wonderful boy and family.  But..more later..:)  I am getting help with the Saturday event from a couple of amazing people who I went to high school with in the sprawling metropolis of St. Johns, Arizona.  Thanks you so much to Kevin Burdick and Jodie Troutman Hedges. 

One thing we are doing is a raffle and a silent auction to participate in.  Or if you just want to swing by and make a donation that's fine too.  The raffle drawing will take place sometime on the 27th.  You do not need to be there to win.  You will leave contact information on your raffle ticket.  If you can't make it and want to make a donation, I will post information on how to donate at the end as well.  Here is a list of some of the raffle prizes.

Phoenix Coyotes - Autographed picture and puck from fan favorite forward Paul Bissonette.

Phoenix Suns - 11 x 13 autographed picture of guard Goran Dragic

Arizona Diamondbacks - autographed picture of pitcher Josh Collmenter

We will also have more in the raffle, which I will announce soon.

As for the Silent Auction we have two items.  The sheets for these will be at our event on the 26th or the softball event on the 27th.  Or if I know you..WELL...:)..you can communicate with me on where things are on the auction if you can't attend either event.  I want everyone to have a chance to win these great things and raise some money. Here are the items:

Arizona Cardinals - autographed football from defensive end Calais Campbell.

Arizona Diamondbacks - A voucher for 4 dugout box tickets to any game next season, except opening day or any possible playoff games.  These are the seats directly behind the home, or away, dugouts.  Any closer to the field and you would be playing.  If you win the auction, there is a sheet listing with what you need to do to get the actual tickets.

I'd like to thank everyone that has helped us out with the donations.  It doesn't surprise every one who has helped, or is helping, us to collect items to help raise money for this family.  I especially want to thank every media relations person who lead me in the right direction to make this happen.  You know who you are.  Everlasting thanks. 

So, remember..keep Saturday, October 26th open and I will send out information on what we are doing when I have everything good to go.  And don't forget the 27th for the softball event.  Here's the information for that.

  https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=1428645457361697&set=a.1424149777811265.1073741831.1423692474523662&type=1&theater
Here is the information on how to donate if you want to, and can't come to either event. 

Donations are being accepted at all Chase Bank locations. Just make a deposit to account # 2979862961 or online at www.gofundme.com/TeamBubba 
Thanks everyone.

Dave

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

And Then It Just Hit Me.....

I'll explain the title in a moment but I wanted to share something that I'm working on that has been rewarding in a few different ways.  However the subject matter of this task isn't a good thing at the moment.  Let me explain:

Last month, my beautiful niece Nikki started posting information about her 9-year-old cousin "Bubba" who was diagnosed with Stage 3 liver cancer. 9 Years Old and is being treated at the children's hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center off the US-60 and Dobson Road.  I admit, it didn't really hit me until later on what that actually meant to me.  I shared her information with my friends and honestly just let it be.  Then one day, everything was clear to me.  Good friends of mine were doing a radioathon for Phoenix Childrens Hospital, an awesome facility in central Phoenix.  I was listening to my friends tell stories on the air about the kids they have met and getting emotional about it.  At first I was jealous because in my 22 years of my career, I have never had a chance to do something that rewarding, that meaningful to someone I didn't even know.  Then it hit me on my way home from work..I can help.  By the time I got home I had a game plan in my head on what I could do to help Nikki and Bubba out.  With 9 years covering sports on the side, I'd like to think I have a pretty good working relationship with all four pro sports teams here in town and Arizona State.  So I told Nikki that I had an idea for a raffle or silent auction to help raise money for Bubba's family to help take care of bills, or whatever they need during his treatment.  I sent emails out to everyone in hopes we can collect some things to hold a raffle.  Here is a list of things I have to pick up this week:

First I have to thank the Phoenix Coyotes, and if you know me I hold these people in high regard anyway because of how they run things.  They have donated an autographed picture and puck from Coyotes forward Paul Bissonnette.  That happened pretty much within a hour or two of sending them an email.  Next was the Arizona Diamondbacks.  We are still working to finalize something with them, but are confident that we will have something pretty cool to raffle off.  More later on that.  Same with Arizona State, they are reviewing everything and we hope to hear back from them soon and again, things look great from them.  Next was the Phoenix Suns, who have donated an autographed picture of guard Goran Dragic.  Next was the Arizona Cardinals, who have donated an autographed football from this years team.  All of this has come together in about a week.  What an awesome response from these guys in such short time.  Details on the raffle and how to buy tickets are coming soon. Stay tuned to my Facebook page or on Twitter for more information.  And if you have Twitter and aren't following me, what's the deal??  haha. Follow me at @davezorn72 if you want. 

I'm looking to add more raffle items, so if anyone has a business or can get us donated gift cards or stuff like that let me know.  

Nikki has done a tremendous job setting up a softball event in East Mesa on Sunday, October 27th.  If you are on Facebook, like Bubba's page do a search for: Team Bubba - Kicking Cancer's Butt.  All his updates and information on events are on the page.  If this works right, here's the info on the event.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=1428645457361697&set=a.1424149777811265.1073741831.1423692474523662&type=1&theater

On the page itself is information on a garage sale they are having on October 12th as well.  Also on that page is his touching story and what he is going through right now.

If you can't go to the event or garage sale, or you don't want to buy raffle tickets, but you want to help.  You can.  Donations are being accepted at all Chase Bank locations.  Just make a deposit to account # 2979862961  or online at www.gofundme.com/TeamBubba 

All proceeds raised go right to Bubba and his family.

Now, you may ask me why am I doing this.  My answer is simple and maybe a little lengthy so bare with me.  Most, if not all, of you know I have a 6-year-old son Ethan. Some of you have even spent time with him.  I thank God Ethan is in good shape and I don't even know how I would be if he was in Bubba's situation.  I know I would appreciate the help and I know they do, they have already expressed it.  Plus, after a long time not talking to each other, this has been incredible coordinating this with Nikki, which at least for me, has made us closer.  I love this girl so much you all have no idea.  Then again, I always have.  Plus, it feels good to make a difference, as small as it is.  If nothing else, I hope to teach Ethan the lesson I am learning as I go.  It feels really good and rewarding and I can see myself doing this again.  Thanks for reading this and if you help out, my dearest thanks from Nikki too. 

Dave