Friendly Encounters

This is a weekly feature highlighting friends who have met celebs.

Today is a very special Friendly Encounters.  It features one of my classmates through 8 years at Sacred Heart school.  Back then, she was Mary Jovanovich.  Now she is Mary Brazzale, mother of two teenagers.
Mary was Class President in 8th grade and voted "Most Athletic" by our class.  She was well-liked by all and was funny, friendly, smart and everything you'd want in a classmate friend.
We went to different high schools, but I would see her around the neighborhood occasionally.  Unfortunately after high school, I lost track of most of my Sacred Heart classmates, including Mary.
A few months back, several of us reconnected on Facebook.  It was great to see Mary and her family. 
Mary and her family are big Hawks fans (her husband got to hold the Stanley Cup!).  At one of the games last season, Mary ran into Bill Wennington (who won some titles with the Chicago Bulls a few years back).  Mary was gracious enough to share the photo here.
I appreciate Mary sharing her photo here.  I can't believe so much time passed, but I am happy to see that Mary is doing well.

Mary Jovanovich Brazzale and Bill Wennington in Chicago, IL-May 2010.

John Paxson Salutes Literacy

This recurring series spotlights the Literacy ad series I ran while at Lerner Newspapers.

When an old blowhard of a GM handed me the Newspaper In Education (NIE) program to run, I was not happy, but I had no choice. I also had no budget, no resources and virtually no help. I started to run a series of ads in our newspaper to promote the program. (Even that was a hassle in our troubled company.) Still, I forced the issue and got the ad series going.
I solicited well-known Chicagoans to appear in the series. I knew this would raise awareness and it did. The series was quite successful. I am still amazed at some of the people who appeared.
John Paxson is a Chicago sports legend. The Chicago Bulls won three straight championships with Paxson sharing the backcourt with Michael Jordan.
Paxson is perhaps best known for his game (and series) winning shot in the 1993 NBA Finals. Paxson sank a three point shot against the Phoenix Suns with 3.9 seconds left to give the Bulls the lead and their third consecutive title.
After Paxson retired, he has been an assistant coach, an announcer and held various executive positions for the Bulls. While he hasn't enjoyed the same success he did as a player, Paxson's place is well-secured in the history of the Bulls.
The ad design for this was simple, yet effective. Paxson was pictured making his big shot and as the Assistant Vice-President. The duality conjured thoughts of success, progression and contrasting roles, along with simply being visually appealing. In retrospect, maybe we should have added three small NBA trophies in the lower left white space.
Adding Paxson (and his three NBA titles) was excellent for the ad series. He is a highly recognizable champion.

Reading is invaluable because it inspires our thoughts, ideas and imagination. To pick up a good book or to read a favorite author is one of the true joys in life.
--John Paxson as quoted in the NIE ad series in 1994

RIP:Norm Van Lier & Johnny Kerr

A few months ago, I posted about meeting Chicago Bulls legend Norm Van Lier. Sadly, today I am posting about his passing.
Van Lier was unique. He was old school, yet very hip. He was flashy and colorful, yet he was ferocious on the court. Van Lier was a real treat to meet and I am glad I had the chance a few years ago.
I remember Van Lier as one of the anchors on the Bulls of the 70's. After retiring Van Lier coached briefly at Mt. Carmel High School before becoming a media personality on several different radio and tv shows. Van Lier always was direct and always was entertaining.
Unfortunately, the Bulls organization experienced another death Thursday. Johnny 'Red' Kerr, the original coach of the Bulls and their long-time broadcaster passed away.
I never met Kerr, although he did sign some cards through the mail for me. Everyone who has met Kerr, has great tales to tell. He spanned 5 decades with the team and multiple generations with the fans.

(Bob) Love is Here

I have never met Bobby Valentine. Nor Ellis Valentine. So representing this special day will be former Chicago Bull All-Star, Bob Love.
Bob Love was drafted by the Cincinnati Royals in 1965. After failing to make the roster, he spent time in the Eastern Basketball League. He went on to play 2 seasons in a reserve role before being selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the expansion draft. After playing less than a season in Milwaukee, the Bucks traded Love to the Bulls.
In Chicago, Love became a 3 time All-Star, while averaging at least 19 points and 6 rebounds per game for 7 seasons. These were the glory days of the 70's for the Bulls.
Love split the 1976-77 season between Chicago, the New York Nets and the Seattle Super Sonics. Love retired after that season. Eventually, Love's #10 became the second jersey number to be retired by the Bulls (Jerry Sloan's #4 was the first).
As great as Love's career was, more impressive is the fact that he overcame a stuttering problem after his career ended. He was washing dishes in a restaurant until the owner offered to pay for speech therapy classes. This resulted in Love's second career with the Bulls. Love is now Director of Community Relations and also a motivational speaker.
Those Bulls teams of the early 70's will always be special to me. Sloan, Norm Van Lier, Chet Walker and Love were the heart of those teams. Nobody had more heart than Bob 'Butterbean' Love!

Bob Love at the Harlem-Irving Plaza in Norridge, IL-early 2009.

Stormin' Norman Van Lier

When I was growing up, the Chicago Bulls had some pretty good players, but never could get into the title picture. Jerry Sloan, Bob Love and Chet Walker were 3 of the brighter stars. Of course, I did not mention a center, which is probably one reason why they never really challenged for a title. I also didn't mention a pretty good guard, who is one of my all-time favorites.
Norm Van Lier (aka Stormin' Norman the moving Van Lier) played parts of 7 seasons for the Bulls. Van Lier was often flashy (in dress and on the court), but he is certainly old school. His intensity and passion come through clearly when talking to Van Lier.

Norm Van Lier and me at AU Sports in Skokie, IL-mid 1990's.