Jerry Colangelo, June 2010, Shaker
Posted on 23. Jun, 2010 by trish in West Valley 24
In regards to the Valley of the Sun, there are few things as inarguable as stating that no one has been more influential in shaping the area’s sports landscape than Jerry Colangelo. However, he has made an impact felt well beyond the basketball court and baseball field, and his presence now looms larger in the West Valley than ever before. He arrived from Chicago to guide Phoenix’s first major league sports franchise, the expansion Suns, as general manager in 1968. At just 30 years old, he was the youngest GM in major league sports. Colangelo built the Suns into one of the most consistent winners in the National Basketball Association, and the team advanced to the league’s Finals in 1976 and 1993. Colangelo became an owner of the club with a group of investors in 1987, and moved the Suns from Veterans Memorial Coliseum to the new America West Arena (now US Airways Center) in 1992. The new arena spearheaded a revitalization of downtown. Colangelo facilitated the arrival of the National Hockey League in the Valley with an essential role in the move of the Winnipeg Jets, who became the Phoenix Coyotes in 1996. He then brought the fourth of the “Big Four” U.S. professional sports to the region in 1998 when the Arizona Diamondbacks joined Major League Baseball as an expansion franchise. Colangelo led the organization as chairman and CEO when the Diamondbacks won the World Series in 2001 – Arizona’s first major professional sports championship. As managing director of USA Basketball, which will soon be headquartered in Glendale, Colangelo assembled coaches and players for the squad that won the gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games. In the last year, Colangelo has placed a large stake in the West Valley with the purchase of the Wigwam Golf Resort and Spa by his group JDM Partners, which also includes David Eaton and Mel Shultz. The ownership group hosted their first gala at the Wigwam in February where Colangelo revealed some of their plans to upgrade and revitalize the historic resort including an improved entrance, more outdoor dining, and a renovated or altogether new golf club.
“Making the community a better place is very important to my partners and me and the Wigwam is such an inherent part of the West Valley, we want to make everyone in the community proud of the Wigwam and feel welcome,” he said. Currently in the role as chairman of the Suns, Colangelo’s tenure of over 40 years with the organization is the longest in the NBA. He was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004. Among his other innumerable honors, he was named the State of Arizona’s Most Influential Sports Figure for the 20th Century by The Arizona Republic, is regularly voted among the Valley’s “Most Influential” business persons by the Phoenix Business Journal, and he was paid tribute by Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon with Jerry Colangelo Day in the city on March 26, 2004. His dedication to the community has included countless leadership roles and affiliations with organizations such as Valley Big Brothers, Council of Leadership Education, Southwest Leadership Foundation, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, and Phoenix Thunderbirds. Colangelo was bestowed the Valley of the Sun United Way’s highest honor, the Spirit of Caring Award, in June 2005 for his passion for improving lives in the community. He and his wife Joan have four children and ten grandchildren.
What is your favorite cause? There are so many great organizations, causes and affiliations that I am involved with it would be impossible to pick a favorite.
What originally drew you to the West Valley? The amazing opportunity to purchase the historic Wigwam Hotel, the community and the expected growth in the West Valley.
How did you get into your current career field? My history of being in sports as a player led to management and ownership. Real Estate has
been an ongoing partnership with David Eaton
and Mel Shultz.
What is the secret to your success? Passion for what I am doing. It is all about passion, commitment and working hard.
Who was an influence in your life/career, and how did they affect what you do? I have always been an avid reader and enjoyed bios of many successful people and tried to gain from their
experiences. I learned early on that being a good listener was a key to success.
