Grand Canyon State Games

"The Crowning Jewel!"

2009-07-20T11:03:00.002-07:00

For the 8th straight year the Lori Piestewa National Native American Games increased in participation! 75 basketball teams,32 softball teams, 28 volleyball teams, 8 baseball teams,31 track athletes and 22 cross country runners for a grand total of 2089 competitors! The nations largest Native American sports festival continues to thrive!
A special thank you to the Piestewa family for their unconditional loyalty to the Games!
Defining moments were Carla Piestewa's undeniable determination continuing to run with one shoe off in the cross country run and her brother Brandon's(Baby Shaq) strong effort in winning the gold medal in basketball and a silver medal in the softball throw.
The"Crowning Jewel" of our year round format is in the books!

Wid

"A Magical Moment!"

2009-07-13T11:39:00.002-07:00

Jessica and Jamie's day in the sun was truly a magical moment! As I reflect on the renewing of my daughters vows, the thing that stands out in my mind were the people who pulled together to execute the flawless ceremony plus the various festivities that surrounded the main event.
Thanks to one and all -------you were super!
Now I need to make sure that the same "magic" takes place with the Lori Piestewa National Native American Games! I'm confident that it will!

Wid

Michael Jackson!

2009-07-07T09:14:00.002-07:00

Talented but I can't figure out all the rest?!

Wid

"Mixed bag !"

2009-07-06T11:51:00.002-07:00

Let's not forget the true meaning of the fourth of July! The weekend was full of amazing accomplishments: Wimbledon, Tiger Woods, and all the rest of the fireworks!
How lucky we are to live in a country where freedom rings!

Wid

"The Crowning Jewel!"

2009-06-30T13:55:00.002-07:00

The eighth annual Lori Piestewa National Native American Games are fast approaching! The "crowning jewel" to our year round format is the largest event of it's kind in the country!
I have become very close with Lori's parents ,Terry and Percy, and Lori's children Brandon and Carla. Thus the overwhelming responsibility to represent the family with great Competition, Presentation , and Hospitality is paramount!
This will happen! I've promised them and I promise you, we will do our best!

Wid

"Knock on wood !"

2009-06-22T09:17:00.002-07:00

Big weekend! A tremendous tribute to my loyal staff,our supportive board,committed sponsors, competitive athletes, knowledgeable commissioners , and tireless volunteers! CHP! Competition, Hospitality, and Presentation-----we NAILED IT!

Plus no major injuries....knock on wood!

Now we're on to the Arizona Summer Basketball State Championships next week!

Then it's the crowning jewel ------The Lori Piestewa National Native American Games!
Stay tuned!

Wid

"Big weekend!"

2009-06-18T11:04:00.001-07:00

It's here ! Summer Games! If preparation is any indication of how it will go ...we're ready!
Good luck to our athletes ,volunteers, and commissioners!
Let's Roll!!!

Wid

"The toughest player I ever coached!"

2009-06-15T09:08:00.003-07:00

Saturday night I received a call informing me that a former player I coached, a groomsman in our wedding, and a dear friend had committed suicide. A tragic ending without any apparent warning.
I was very distraught and could only feel after being told that other than his father, I was on the top of a list as most influential people in his life, I believe I could have saved him if I had known.
Good bye my friend....

Wid

"Re-invent yourself !"

2009-06-10T12:31:00.002-07:00

Watching the car industry struggle with the overwhelming changes in their industry is mind boggling to me. The incredible amount of money being thrown around seems way out of whack.
Of great interest to me is the unraveling of what has been an American institution. How did it get to this?
They basically are "re-inventing themselves !" A process that we can all learn from. These are truly interesting times to say the least.

Wid

"Tick Tock!"

2009-06-08T12:19:00.002-07:00

I just realized from our"countdown clock" that my 14th Summer Games are just 11 days away!
Are we ready? We better be because time waits for no man!
"Tick Tock!"

Wid

"Rejuvenated!"

2009-06-01T11:15:00.003-07:00

We all need to have our batteries recharged at times. Fill up our gas tanks....remind ourselves of our priorities , re-invent the way we do things, examine where we stand with our goals and so on.
June 1 is a good time to take a minute for some good old fashion honest evaluation. I always try to see my doctor for my yearly physical about now....sort of the half way point.
I'm happy to report that I have been officially" rejuvenated ! "
It was easy -----both grandchildren were at the house for dinner last night. Wow, how much fun was that!? I realized, or reminded myself, that Kael and Daisy put everything in perspective for good old grandpa. It's all about family.....and you can take that to the bank even in tough times.

Wid

"It's up for grabs !"

2009-05-28T09:10:00.003-07:00

I don't know if your watching the NBA playoffs but I think the title is up for grabs!. Stay tuned!

Wid

"Fun!"

2009-05-27T13:39:00.002-07:00

How much fun is it to see your children prosper and add to the equation grandchildren!

Wid

"3 day weekend!"

2009-05-26T13:37:00.002-07:00

Let's not forget what was truly important to remember about yesterday's holiday!

Wid

"A thought for today!"

2009-05-19T10:51:00.002-07:00

"Every noble work is at first impossible!"

Wid

"Sweet baby Jess!"

2009-05-18T11:09:00.002-07:00

Jessica and Jamie are in town! They came in from their home in Vegas last night! I was like a little kid waiting for them to arrive. Dallas and Em brought our little "queen" Daisy over for some of Cindas great enchiladas! Auntie Jess and Daisy were fun to watch. Jess has always been great with babies! Can't get home fast enough for some more family time tonight!

Wid

"One step closer !"

2009-05-15T09:32:00.003-07:00

I have a meeting today with The Arizona Basketball Coaches association regarding the first ever Arizona Summer High School State Championships! A vision I had over a year ago is "one step closer to reality!"
Fun stuff!

WId

"Why wouldn't you?"

2009-05-14T09:33:00.001-07:00

4.5% on refinancing my home! I really need to look into this!
Why wouldn't I?

Wid

"Big weekend!"

2009-05-13T14:01:00.002-07:00

Flew to SF for a special Mothers Day with Punk,Adam,Rick and Judy! Also, threw in Kael's dedication, and a BBQ with the 49'er offensive line! Great fun! "Big weekend!"

Wid

"A Special Evening"

2009-04-27T12:41:00.003-07:00

"Feedback is the breakfast of Champions!" Our 14th annual Celebration Banquet has received great reviews. The combination of Southwestern College as our new venue, dinner complements of Honey Bears BBQ, the entertainment of our official band Mogollon, EMCEE Tom Ambrose, Hot Shot Branch from the Globe Trotters and of course our hundreds of Art and Essay contest medalists proved to be a dynamic combination.
It's amazing, even to us, that our fourteen year total for Americas' largest Art and Essay contest has reached 61,653 entries. The joy on the faces of our award winners made all the hard work and preparation for the evening worth while.
Another true highlight of the evening was indeed the interaction with the Piestewa family. Brandon with the Pledge of Allegiance, Carla singing the National Anthem and a special benediction from Terry, plus Percy's personal comments were heartwarming.
A special thank you to Ottawa University, our fourteen year sponsor and a sincere welcome to Southwestern College, our new Art and Essay sponsor. Moving forward is truly exciting.
Make no mistake that the individual efforts of Tara and Gary plus maybe the strongest group of interns we have ever had, allowed us to plan the work and work the plan.
Thank you one and all,

~Wid

"The Governor"

2009-04-15T09:53:00.002-07:00

Yesterday I had the pleasure to meet with Governor Janice K Brewer! After months of correspondence and communication ,I finally broke through.
My meeting was scheduled for 2:30p. I left the office early anticipating more than the usual protocol than a normal visit would entail. I was right!
First there was the security check at the entrance to the Capitol. Next, sign in at the front desk and proceed to the 8th floor, only to sign in again and receive a badge and have a seat in the waiting area. At 2:30p exactly a lady appeared and escorted me to the 9th floor where I signed in again an was asked to have a seat in yet another waiting area.
Next, a young man entered from a huge door and invited me into a large foyer outside the Governor's office.
Governor Janice K. Brewer then entered the room and joined me on a set of couches. I had been told I would have an audience of 15 minutes so I didn't waist any time getting into my spiel. I found the Governor to be very engaging.
My goal was to have her agree to be "The Honorary Chairman" of the GCSG. She, without hesitation, said yes! A photographer entered the room ,took our picture, and I was on my way. Mission accomplished! Fun stuff!

Wid

Take Time for Ten Things

2009-04-06T14:52:00.002-07:00

Take time to WORK~
it is the price of success.

Take time to THINK~
it is the source of power.

Take time to PLAY~
it is the secret of youth.

Take time to READ~
it is the foundation of knowledge.

Take time to WORSHIP~
it is the highway of reverence and washes the dust of earth from our eyes.

Take time to HELP and ENJOY FRIENDS~
it is the source of happiness.

Take time to LOVE~
it is the one sacrament of life.

Take time to DREAM~
it hitches the soul to the stars.

Take time to LAUGH~
it is the singing that helps with life's loads.

Take time to PLAN~
it is the secret of being able to have time to take time for
the first nine things.

Leadership

2009-03-24T13:01:00.002-07:00

I enjoy reading topics on leadership, some are worth sharing, including this list from a book by Richard St. John: "8 To Be Great." The 8 traits that lead to a great success.

* Passion: Discover what you love to do and pursue it. Chase lover, not money, and the money will follow.

* Work: Work hard, all successful people do. But when you love what you are doing, it doesn't feel like work.

* Focus: You must focus on one thing, and one thing only. You must develop an ability to ingore distractions and concentrate.

*Push: Get past obstacles, including self-doubt, and push to achieve the impossible.

*Ideas: Be creative; solve problems; and take advantage of opportunities.

* Improve: Always look for ways to get better at what you do.

* Serve: You must have something of value for others. Focus on the people you serve and listen to what they say.

*Persist: Don't cave in to adversity, be it rough times, faliures, criticism or mistakes.

-Wid

"A Sportman's Prayer"

2009-03-16T13:42:00.001-07:00

Let me live, O mighty Master,
Such a life as mine should know,
Testing Triumph and disaster,
Joy~ and not too much of woe;
Let me run the gamut over,
Let me fight and love and laugh
And when I'm beneath the clover
Let this be my epitaph:
"Here lies one who took his chances
in the busy world of men,
Battled luck and circumstances,
Fought and fell and fought again;
Won sometimes ~ but did no crowing,
Lost sometimes~ but did not wail,
Took his beating~ but kept going,
Never let his courage fail.
He was fallible and human,
Therefore loved and understood,
both his fellow men and women,
Whether good or ~ not so good;
Kept his spirit undiminished,
Never laid down on a friend,
Played the game til it was finished,
Lived a sportsman to the end.

"Our Signature Event!"

2009-03-09T12:36:00.003-07:00

This was a big weekend! Eight sports: Arm Wrestling, Baton Twirling, Bean Bag Toss, Dodge Ball, Jump Rope, Skiing/Snowboarding , Sand Volleyball, Shooting & first year event Shape Up Arizona!
We had a great turnout, the weather was outstanding, and no major injuries!
When I took this job 14 years ago one of the first trips I took was to Flagstaff to meet with JR Murray, the GM of the Snowbowl, to share an idea with him to start the GCSG Winter Games.
Since that meeting the winter festival has grown to the nations largest with 40 sports and nearly 8,000 athletes.
As I was driving up the mountain Sunday morning I was excited to see JR, Brian, Linda and all the racers. There is still something special to attend "Our Signature Event!"

Wid