GCU Today Magazine - November 2017

based on the principles of his strong Christian faith, but you never know exactly what you’re going to get. “Most of everything I do is ad lib,” he said. “I just try to speak from the heart all the time.” It’s uncanny. Even people who have heard him speak dozens of times still pick up a little nugget amid his bedrock beliefs: faith, family, friends, community — displayed prominently and purposefully on the east side of his new museum. “I’ve heard him speak pretty much every time he’s been on campus and delivered a presentation, and it’s always been something new and insightful,” said Dr. Brian Smith, Director of the Sports Business school and Assistant Dean of CCOB. “When he first got involved with our program and started speaking, some of his close friends told me, ‘Jerry is the ultimate 35,000-foot guy. He sees things at a higher altitude — big picture and vision going forward.’ There’s no doubt that’s very true. He’s very observant. There always are insights and wisdoms that you learn every time.” That’s particularly valuable for students. Even though it’s not uncommon for Colangelo to speak to a CCOB class, students still find it remarkable that a man of his stature is willing to take the time to interact with them. “You don’t get this anywhere else,” said Dr. Mark Clifford, who teaches a golf operations and management class. But he goes far beyond a quick give-the-elevator-speech-and-exit session. He stays apprised of enrollment and programs. He’s at all of the CCOB advisory board meetings. He listens to student presentations and offers feedback. He even was sitting in the back of the class when Honors College students did a presentation on servant leadership. There’s a reason for that. “Mr. Colangelo cares about what’s taking place. He cares ,” said Dr. Rick Roth, a Sports Business instructor. “It’s so enjoyable because he then answers questions from the kids. He’s very transparent in the decisions that he makes, and he always comes back to those core principles.” Colangelo gives thanks for what he calls “a wonderful platform to help young people” at GCU. He keeps finding himself in these situations, What’s the No. 1 thing you’ve learned from Jerry Colangelo? Jerry Colangelo never stops teaching. Here are some of the things his colleagues and GCU administrators, faculty and students have learned. Note the wide variety of answers: “I have learned the importance of relationships as well as keeping your priorities: faith, family, friends and community.” DR. RANDY GIBB, CCOB Dean “He taught me to think differently than I ever thought in my life. I was an accountant by trade, and he taught me to think more visionary, more bold.” RICHARD DOZER, former Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks executive “There actually are two things. His practices in his professional life follow what he does in his personal life. That’s always been a big encouragement to me. … The second one is the influence from his book ‘How You Play the Game.’ One of the areas that he talks about is the development of a sense of history. That influenced me as a coach but also in other things I’ve done.” DR. RICK ROTH, Sports Business professor Dr. Randy Gibb, Dean of the Colangelo College of Business, introduces Colangelo on the day the college was renamed. GCU MAGAZ I NE • 1 1