duncan228
10-16-2010, 06:03 PM
Region hero, NBA coach Gregg Popovich packs 'em in at Avalon Manor (http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/basketball/professional/article_f8181496-efb3-5938-948b-985a543d228c.html)
By Al Hamnik
http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/nwitimes.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/c/2c/59f/c2c59f6c-969f-576e-a044-de7588e835cb-revisions/4cb900942ecf7.preview-300.jpg
Region native and NBA coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs, left, talks with two of his players, George Hill, center, and DeJuan Blair on Friday at the Gary Chamber of Commerce Luncheon at Avalon Manor.
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich stopped by for lunch Friday, a joyous homecoming celebration he never expected.
A capacity crowd of 400 fans, educators, friends, corporate types, former Merrillville classmates, high school athletes and local politicians filled an entire ballroom at The Avalon Manor banquet hall for the Gary Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event.
And within minutes of his appearance, it became obvious the region sure loves itself some "Pop."
The 1966 Merrillville grad, born in East Chicago, came as a personal favor to boyhood friend Chuck Hughes, the chamber's executive director, to promote Gary's "Step Up" education initiative and the Nov. 26-27 Lakeshore Basketball Classic at the Genesis Convention Center.
Popovich received plaques, citations, T-shirts, a state proclamation from Governor Mitch Daniels and had Oct. 15 officially named in his honor in East Chicago and Merrillville.
Gary Mayor Rudy Clay called Pop a local hero and Hughes predicted he'll "run into the Basketball Hall of Fame" the moment he retires from coaching.
"I'm embarrassed. I think Chuck's got me confused with Phil Jackson," Popovich said. "He called the wrong number. And for the people who know me personally, either when I was real young in East Chicago or from Merrillville, they're back there (in the room) laughing their butts off.
"I'm by no means perfect and all these wonderful-sounding words are flattering, but we all know it's a bit exaggerated."
Gregory Charles Popovich also is very humble, despite four NBA titles, recalling how high school coach Bill Metcalf believed his first name was "Craig" and always referred to him as "C.C." -- Craig Charles.
"That's how important I am. My high school coach had no idea my first name was Gregg. So I felt very special," Popovich said. "I knew from that day if I do become a coach at some point, I should probably learn a little bit about my players.
"At least know their names."
Seated several feet away were two of Popovich's star players -- George Hill and DeJuan Blair -- who accompanied him on this homecoming.
Friday morning, they drove to East Chicago and Butternut Street in Sunnyside, where Pop once lived. And then to Euclid Avenue where he lived earlier.
Their search party also stopped in Gary to check out Michael Jackson's family home.
Turning serious, Popovich glanced at the tables where members of the Lew Wallace, Roosevelt and West Side boys basketball teams were seated and challenged them on the spot.
"When I moved to Merrillville with my mom and my stepdad, the one thing they did was beat me to death over academics," Popovich recalled. "I try to think about things that can be controlled. I'm not smart enough to figure out how monies come and how monies go, about all the tests, all the teachers and administrators that are good and bad.
"But I do know you can help control yourself academically and establish your own destiny and that parents can get off their ass and be a lot more involved."
The room erupted in applause as a mother stood and raised her hand in the air.
"Thank you for that," she shouted.
"If there were no good grades and homework wasn't done, there was no basketball for me," Popovich added. "Today, you want to be the kids' friend. But what they need are mentors; people who set standards and guidelines.
"They need to know we give a damn."
Popovich praised Gary's aggressive "Step Up" program and the Lakeshore Classic, then had some fun with the chatty Hughes, who served as emcee.
"Since I'm in the NBA and I'm used to grand things, I'm pretty spoiled," Popovich said. "As things were going on here, I expected there to be a (new) car outside. And I get these plaques and T-shirts.
"Chuck, what's the deal? You told me I was huge. I was important -- and I got T-shirts. You would've given Phil something different, I know that. I'm very hurt, very hurt."
Friday's entertaining event lasted three hours and long after it ended, Popovich was still signing autographs and posing for pictures.
*********************
Merrillville grad Popovich speaks at Lakeshore event (http://www.post-trib.com/sports/2805866,popovich-1016.article)
BY Tommy Williams
http://www.post-trib.com/sports/2805866,popovich-1016.article
By Al Hamnik
http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/nwitimes.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/c/2c/59f/c2c59f6c-969f-576e-a044-de7588e835cb-revisions/4cb900942ecf7.preview-300.jpg
Region native and NBA coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs, left, talks with two of his players, George Hill, center, and DeJuan Blair on Friday at the Gary Chamber of Commerce Luncheon at Avalon Manor.
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich stopped by for lunch Friday, a joyous homecoming celebration he never expected.
A capacity crowd of 400 fans, educators, friends, corporate types, former Merrillville classmates, high school athletes and local politicians filled an entire ballroom at The Avalon Manor banquet hall for the Gary Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event.
And within minutes of his appearance, it became obvious the region sure loves itself some "Pop."
The 1966 Merrillville grad, born in East Chicago, came as a personal favor to boyhood friend Chuck Hughes, the chamber's executive director, to promote Gary's "Step Up" education initiative and the Nov. 26-27 Lakeshore Basketball Classic at the Genesis Convention Center.
Popovich received plaques, citations, T-shirts, a state proclamation from Governor Mitch Daniels and had Oct. 15 officially named in his honor in East Chicago and Merrillville.
Gary Mayor Rudy Clay called Pop a local hero and Hughes predicted he'll "run into the Basketball Hall of Fame" the moment he retires from coaching.
"I'm embarrassed. I think Chuck's got me confused with Phil Jackson," Popovich said. "He called the wrong number. And for the people who know me personally, either when I was real young in East Chicago or from Merrillville, they're back there (in the room) laughing their butts off.
"I'm by no means perfect and all these wonderful-sounding words are flattering, but we all know it's a bit exaggerated."
Gregory Charles Popovich also is very humble, despite four NBA titles, recalling how high school coach Bill Metcalf believed his first name was "Craig" and always referred to him as "C.C." -- Craig Charles.
"That's how important I am. My high school coach had no idea my first name was Gregg. So I felt very special," Popovich said. "I knew from that day if I do become a coach at some point, I should probably learn a little bit about my players.
"At least know their names."
Seated several feet away were two of Popovich's star players -- George Hill and DeJuan Blair -- who accompanied him on this homecoming.
Friday morning, they drove to East Chicago and Butternut Street in Sunnyside, where Pop once lived. And then to Euclid Avenue where he lived earlier.
Their search party also stopped in Gary to check out Michael Jackson's family home.
Turning serious, Popovich glanced at the tables where members of the Lew Wallace, Roosevelt and West Side boys basketball teams were seated and challenged them on the spot.
"When I moved to Merrillville with my mom and my stepdad, the one thing they did was beat me to death over academics," Popovich recalled. "I try to think about things that can be controlled. I'm not smart enough to figure out how monies come and how monies go, about all the tests, all the teachers and administrators that are good and bad.
"But I do know you can help control yourself academically and establish your own destiny and that parents can get off their ass and be a lot more involved."
The room erupted in applause as a mother stood and raised her hand in the air.
"Thank you for that," she shouted.
"If there were no good grades and homework wasn't done, there was no basketball for me," Popovich added. "Today, you want to be the kids' friend. But what they need are mentors; people who set standards and guidelines.
"They need to know we give a damn."
Popovich praised Gary's aggressive "Step Up" program and the Lakeshore Classic, then had some fun with the chatty Hughes, who served as emcee.
"Since I'm in the NBA and I'm used to grand things, I'm pretty spoiled," Popovich said. "As things were going on here, I expected there to be a (new) car outside. And I get these plaques and T-shirts.
"Chuck, what's the deal? You told me I was huge. I was important -- and I got T-shirts. You would've given Phil something different, I know that. I'm very hurt, very hurt."
Friday's entertaining event lasted three hours and long after it ended, Popovich was still signing autographs and posing for pictures.
*********************
Merrillville grad Popovich speaks at Lakeshore event (http://www.post-trib.com/sports/2805866,popovich-1016.article)
BY Tommy Williams
http://www.post-trib.com/sports/2805866,popovich-1016.article