A.G.

Having a father who was All American athlete and being raised around professional athletes I felt the connection to many sports. With relatives in NFL all who had colored their lives with remarkable achievements athletically, academically and personally at every level created a view of an affinity to a superhuman essence. I was a ball boy in the 2nd grade for one the greatest Chico State Basketball teams. They were violently dunking bringing a game to that small town that had a culture, you could feel it in the air. Watching swarms of people fill the streets and hang around Art Acker Gymnasium I knew that sports had the power to bring people together. Fast forward 3 years later I was fortunate enough to shadow a player from that team to Australia where I studied at Albury Primary school in the 5th grade with one of the Chico State Mens Basketball players. That player was Randy Rick. I knew I was engineered in some way as a "Fanboy". I was able to see it first hand what closed doors practices looked like after a loss or a huge win. Win or lose when it comes to work ethic and refined skill I have always felt like its such aa great life lesson to find resolve in a game. I truly admire professional athletes for their time investment and arduous journey both mentally and physically to the big game and the encouragement and hope that builds in the sports that drive kids, adults and fans to the edge of their seats and in slow motion with their achievements.