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 ROBERT "BOB"
JOHNSON
Charlotte Bobcats
“This will not be a passive team where we
play and then go home.”
By: Leigh Derby
Bob Johnson, introduced as the first African American majority owner
of a professional sports franchise, opened recognizing Muhsin
Muhammad (in the audience) and congratulating the Panthers on their
excellent (2003-04) season. He stated, “Give me ten years and we’ll
be there!”
Bob mentioned that several of the Bobcats key management team
members, under the leadership of Eddie Tapscott, recently joined
Charlotte area Rotary Clubs and said others soon will. His
organization and its people will be immersed in the community.
Already they serve on over thirty-eight community boards and
charitable organizations. “We believe in being involved.” To
emphasize his commitment to the Charlotte community, later in his
talk, Bob mentioned his one million dollar contribution to the YMCA.
Bob recounted the story of how he came to “buy” the franchise. One
evening he received a call from Hugh McColl. When one receives a
call from Hugh, Bob said, one has only two choices, pretend to not
be there or say, “Hugh, I’ll do it.” I chose the latter. I was told
to meet him and several Charlotte business leaders including Ed
Crutchfield, the next day, Saturday, at 8:00 AM. Within thirty
minutes they asked me to put up 265 million dollars to buy the
Charlotte Hornets from George Shinn. They said that they wanted to
keep the team in Charlotte and don’t worry, they would help me out.
Just write the offer letter today. As we know, Shinn rejected the
offer and moved the team to New Orleans.
It was clear to Bob that Charlotte wanted an NBA franchise for three
reasons. First, the team could be an economic engine for the City
and the area. It could develop or perhaps rekindle community spirit.
Finally, the team and a new arena could become a symbol for downtown
entertainment and culture. As such, Bob described his role as
“beneficiary” – not so much as an owner who did all, but as a
“custodian” of the city’s commitment to center-city gravity and a
magnet for jobs and center-city living. Bob views the franchise as a
compact between the owner and the city. Bob also discussed his role
in managing the arena and the arena’s two goals: to showcase sports
and to open doors for other community activities.
“The players will reflect the value systems of management.”
Beginning in June, the Bobcats will begin selecting players through
the expansion draft. They will look for both talent – the ability to
hustle, rebound, shoot and win the crowd’s emotions, and also for
what is inside the player. Players must fit in with the values of
organization. Players will be expected to support the community and
their charities of choice.
Bob announced the Bobcat/Sting Charitable Fund. The Fund will donate
all net proceeds to the community with a focus on kids in need.
“When we get behind a charity with our brand, players, and
resources, the charity takes on a bigger dimension.” The Bobcats
will heighten awareness and bring a positive message through their
media clout. The first event will be a Horse Show in Charlotte.
“This will not be a passive team where we play and then go home.”
“The team however cannot exist in Charlotte with a one-way trade
imbalance,” Bob cautioned. Charlotte must support the team by buying
season tickets and attending games. There will be tickets for a
diverse crowd, including $10 seats. “We need your help and support.”
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Attendance
Record |
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2/24/04 |
2/25/03 |
| visitors &
guests |
18 |
10 |
| club
members |
140 |
149 |
| total
attendance |
158 |
159 |
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Wedding
Anniversaries |
3 Katie and Billy Wireman
4 Ratna and Bijoy Sahoo
7 Carol and David Jordan |
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New
Members | Resignations |
Joey Godbold
Todd Stevens |
Tim Saunders
Chip Gwynn |
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| Roaming
Rotarians |
Cynthia Marshall,
Pinehurst, NC | |
| Birthdays and
Birthplaces |
3 Mike Parrott, Houston, TX
5 Ken Samuelson, Maryland
6 Richard Bailey, NYC, NY
6 Don Haack, Milwaukee, WI
6 Edwin Peacock, Charlotte, NC
8 Alan Barnhardt, Charlotte, NC
8 Harley Dickson, Asheville, NC |
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2003-04
RI
Theme
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z Dean
Colvard received the 2004 Echo Award Against
Indifference at the fifth annual Echo Foundation Award Dinner.
Colvard is best known nationally for defying a court injunction
and sending the Mississippi State basketball team to compete in
the NCAA tournament in 1963 against Loyola of Chicago, which had
four black players in its starting lineup.
z
Volunteers for
Classroom Central
on February 19 were
Rich Campbell, Jim Adams, Catherine Browning, Bob Alexy,
and
John Johnson.
Thanks for lending a hand. The next volunteer date is March 18.
z
Ed Turner
provided career advice, saying to compete with young, you must
think young, in the Observer’s Carolinas Hot Line column.
z
Charlotte Symphony president
Richard Early
was seen with a Beatles No. 1 hits album in his hand while
shopping at Borders. The symphony will do a Beatles tribute,
“Classical Mystery Tour” Saturday at Ovens Auditorium.
z
Tim Newman is again
scheduled to sing the national anthem at the Charlotte 49ers
season finale on March 6th. You’ll remember he was bumped by
American Idol runner-up and UNC Charlotte graduate Clay Aiken
earlier this winter.
z
Ed Nowokunski
was named Printimage 2004 Printer of
the Year. Read the full story at:
http://www.quickprinting.com/pages/issues/2004/204/feature2.shtml |
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NEW MEMBER
BALLOT |
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The Classification and Membership Committee
recommend and the Directors approve for consideration for all
members, the following NEW MEMBERS. Should you question the
eligibility of any nominee, please call the Rotary Office by
March 2nd. You will be contacted by a member of the Board.
Otherwise, no reply is necessary and election will proceed
according to our bylaws. |
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Shannon Vaughn
United Way of Central Carolinas
Classification: Fund Raising, Community Services
Proposed: Mac McCarley
Endorsers: Ron Kimble and Mary Mack |
Edward John (Ed)
United Way Legacy Foundation
Classification: Fund Raising, Planned Giving
Proposed: Jim Kelley
Endorsers: Mac McCarley and Mary Mack
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POLIO
ERADICATION: Rotary International has prepared a
press release that provides an update of the tremendous efforts
to provide a polio-free world by Rotary and global partners at
the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. The document has been localized
in order to recognize the fifteen Rotary Clubs operating in the
Charlotte area, and with the help of Marilynn Bowler, has been
sent to several media outlets. Please advise the Rotary office
if you should see or can get a copy of the article from any of
the following publications: The Business Journal, The
Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Biz Magazine, North Carolina
Magazine, Business North Carolina Magazine, Senior Directions
Newspaper, The Rhinoceros Times, The Huntersville Times,
Ventures Magazine, The Charlotte Post Newspaper, South Charlotte
Weekly Newspaper, and The Matthews Times Newspaper.
STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM: If
you are interested in being a host family for the student
exchange program, please contact Don
Millen at 704-342-3491, ext 100. The Club has
been assigned a student from Belgium, who is scheduled to arrive
by mid August, early September. Please contact Don as soon as
possible to learn more about this opportunity.
Also, Robert Wadsworth, son of club member
Ed Wadsworth, will be participating in a
summer exchange program. He is hoping to be assigned to a
Spanish speaking country, and should be hearing something about
his destination soon. Caroline May, an Interact student from
Charlotte Country Day, is also being sponsored by our Club. Both
Caroline and Robert attended the mid-year district conference
held at Wingate College last month. |
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