The Life Before This One, Hall of Fame

Inside the Tropicana there was an area set up for the three of us to receive our award and give a little speech. When the other two spoke I was referred to as The Godfather of indoor soccer. I was a little ruthless to competitors. I don't think a competitor in any city we went into survived. Gary Archer who I handpicked to replace me when I retired after 20 something years gave a little speech about me before it was my turn. Was emotional. He spoke a little of my life before even this one. He said I was a table tennis champion and I was. I rode competitive trials and helped put on the world championship. Before MMA I fought in karate tournaments. I got kicked out of the US Intermountain in Salt Lake at the Salt Palace for being out of control. My mom was there. Was embarrassing. I fought in the World Championships in Long Beach and while Gary said I kicked Chuck Norris ass, actually I was eliminated in the round before I would have fought Chuck. I wasn't too disappointed as the guy that beat me got sent into the sixth row of metal chairs by Mr. Norris. Seems like there were a couple other things but I'm old and don't remember. Gary said his family had an indoor soccer facility in Tucson and the family had met about closing down. I showed up, wanted to be their partner, we'd share equity, I'd inject money, and show them how to run the place. His fauther retired four years later. He was emotional about it. Gary worked 100 hour weeks like I did, sometimes closer to 120 hour weeks. Lived in the buildings. Total commitment. He was good.

When you pick somebody to replace you usually they are all humble when you hand over the keys but it's not long before they start bad mouthing you because the job they inherited is way more difficult than they thought and blaming you who can't fight back is the best option that it's your fault. Probably 15 years after I handed the job over I met someone inside the company I hadn't seen inside the company in all that time. I ask how Gary was doing and he says Gary tells people to this day he's doing his best to fill some big shoes. I picked the right guy. I spoke briefly and mostly spoke of the hard work it takes and the family of people and Let's Play. This company is almost 40 years old. Companies don't make it to 40 years. This one did because these are the people that are the Haydukers of the indoor soccer world. The ones that have hearts so big they don't fit in their chests.

I got lucky meeting them one at a time and they all made contributions above and beyond. Gary runs the company now and is the best steward it could have and as good a friend as their is.

It's time to go home. My friend is waiting for me to go hiking.