For the last couple of years The Denver Health Foundation puts on a cool shindig called “Hot Rocks Griller Challenge,” where celebrity chefs from various Denver restaurants tantalize the crowd with amazing sliders and sides- all in competition for the winning slider of the night. All chefs’ join together for the cause of helping raise support for men’s health awareness. Since my sister-in-law is the event planner, I of course am gently coaxed into volunteering for the night.
Who could refuse since there is the opportunity to indulge in the best eats’s that Denver has to offer, and to rub shoulders with some wonderful people (OK there are a couple of celebrities there)!
My brother and I were assigned the task of manning the basketball station. In 30 seconds you were to shoot as many baskets as you could into a miniature hoop with three miniature basketballs. The prize? A men and women’s Tag Heuer watches kindly donated by Hyde Park Jewelers (trust me, I was looking at that women’s watch with mother of pearl face and diamonds with wanting eyes). Ervin Johnson, the former NBA player who played for the Denver Nuggets and then moved on to be the captain of the Milwaukee Bucks was our celebrity.
You could hire Ervin Johnson for $15 dollars to shot for you, or you could pay $5 to shot on your own. What a deal right? $15 for the opportunity to win a $1500 watch- a no-brainer!
Jeff, an attendee at the event was our first customer. He scored 48 hoops on his first try. He was the one to beat.
Ervin Johnson couldn’t believe that someone shot 48 hoops in 30 seconds, and was calculating how to beat Jeff’s score. The night went along with Mr. Johnson playing for those who were desperate to win those watches. He was great, gently working the crowd to come shot some hoops with him. He even got me play- which was totally humiliating and fun at the same time. He didn’t care, he was just there for a good cause.
It didn’t take Ervin Johnson long to beat Jeff’s first score of 48. Jeff soon found-out about his defeat, and paid for another round. He beat Ervin’s top score.
Jeff soon reached celebrity status, and was hired by women in the crowd to shoot for them. His top-score? 67 baskets!
Ervin Johnson was going to beat Jeff’s 67 baskets- no matter what. He persisted with more vigor. An hour and a half after he was scheduled to leave, he was still shooting hoops trying to beat Jeff’s score- and with dogged determination.
The Denver Health Foundation closed the booth down for the night, and Jeff’s skills won a lucky girl and himself the coveted watches.
The point of this article is not about the watches, and it’s not about Jeff’s amazing miniature basketball shooting skills. It was Ervin Johnson, who was resolute in beating that score of 67.
It made me think about my determination. How many times have I walked-away when I thought my time was over, not realizing that there was still time left in the game? I think I am single-minded in my pursuits, but watching Ervin Johnson, made me wonder. …Just something to think about.
By the way, Ervin Johnson would have beat Jeff’s score of 67… he just needed more time.
Just in case you were wondering what it means to raise awareness around men’s health issues it’s about preventing unnecessary and premature death in men, and to get men to work with their doctors to stay healthy and prevent, detect and intervene with any health conditions they may have. …A lofty goal indeed, and a plug for The Denver Health Foundation!
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Comments ( 1 Comment )
This was a fabulous article, and Ervin was a treasure. He was all about the goal and wouldn’t stop until he achieved it (or time ran out). Thank you Marketing Collaborative for the wonderful article!!
Candice added these pithy words on
Jul 01 10 at
9:27 am
