Board Member Spotlight - George Raveling

GEORGE RAVELING

CLASS OF 2015

George H. Raveling, referred to by many as “Coach” was born in Washington, D.C. and currently serves as a Global basketball consultant for Nike. George is a husband, a father, a friend, and a mentor to many. In 1960, Raveling graduated from Villanova University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and a fruitful collegiate basketball playing career in the record books.

After graduation, Raveling worked as a marketing analyst for the Sun Oil Company. It was at this time period in his life that he had the opportunity to serve as extra security for the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr – on the day Dr. King gave, arguably, the greatest speech of all-time, “I Have a Dream.” That day was memorable for all Americans, but none more than Raveling, as he became the guardian of one of the most precious documents in American history, Dr. King’s written speech, a document he still owns today.

In 1964, George would return to basketball as an assistant coach at his alma mater. He would go on to become a world class educator and coach with head coaching jobs at Washington State, the University of Iowa and USC. Following a prolific basketball coaching career, he would spend brief stints as a color commentator for Fox Sports and CBS, before being presented with an opportunity of a lifetime to join Nike. George has been inducted into numerous halls of fame, including the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015 and the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. Raveling has traveled the world, and maintains an insatiable passion about ideas, people, places and things.

At 82 years of age, George has had a multitude of incredible life experiences and counts some of the most successful and brilliant people in the world amongst his closest friends. Through his relationships and experiences, George has learned and continues to learn life lessons that can transform one’s personal and professional life. “Coach” makes it a point to write down the best ideas he sees, thinks, or hears each dayfrom humor, to health and relationships. George’s hobbies are collecting books and friends.

De s c r i b e by t h o s e c lo s e to h i m as “ a t e ac h e r w h o o f f e r s a P h D i n l i f e ” - G e o r e h as r ac i o u s ly s h a r e s o m e t h o u h ts o n l i f e , h i s r o l e at t h e H a l l a n i n s i r at i o n fo r t h e f u t u r e .

How long have you been on the Board at the Hall of Fame? Almost a decade - I accepted the position in May of 2010.

What do you consider to be your most important duty as a Board Member? There are a few that come to mind: Make sure I do what I can to add value to the Organization. Be proactive in helping to solve problems that are presented to the Board. Share my views and encourage others to envision the possibilities for the future, But most importantly - bring a growth mindset to the group and overall be a positive difference maker.

During your tenure, what have you found most interesting or memorable? Being selected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015, it is the single most unpredictable moment of my life.

What do you think the Hall of Fame will look like 20 years from now? The Hall will bear witness to basketball’s growth. Its culture, attitudes, values, norms, purpose, meaning, and grace from an authentic “ Global ” perspective

What’s a detail about you that people would find fascinating or hard to believe? I visit a bookstore 5 days a week and read at least 3 hours per day

Do you have any talents that we don’t know about? Building authentic, sustainable and valuable people relationships

What is your favorite thing to do when you aren’t working? Read --- Write --- Think --- Search

Anyone who follows you on Linkedin knows of your “words of wisdom”. How did that begin and how do you come up with your statements/ideas?

What you see on that website - those posts are the products of human choice, thoughts and actions.

What would you say are your top inspirational statements? • The first sign of intelligence is to admit you don’t know • Sometimes you have to be wrong, so someone else can be right • Begin each day with two choices; 1 be happy, 2 be very happy • If it is to be it’s up to me • Live a life that serves others more than you. • If you and I agree on everything, one of us is necessary