Basketball HOFer Bill Walton implored people to be active, vocal, passionate and persistent in their social advocacy during the opening day of the 7th annual Green Sports Alliance Summit held at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. Walton used a mixed of stories from his experiences with John Wooden, Larry Bird, Maurice Lucas and even Jerry Garcia to explore the disciplines of leadership, service and mentorship. When asked by SBJ/SBD’s Abe Madkour what those individuals each had in common when it came to leadership, Walton replied, “They all understood it was a privilege to be in the position they were in. Even Jerry. When there were fights among the band, he’d look at them and say, ‘You know what, there are a bunch I guys I see over there (pointing) that can play and who would love to be in this band,' and that ended any discord.” Kings Owner & Chair Vivek Ranadive earlier in the day talked about his personal journey, coming to the U.S. from India with $50 in his pocket, going to MIT and then Harvard, to then owning a sports team and building the arena that recently won the Sports Business Award for Facility of the Year. “Today’s raw materials are data and imagination,” he said. “These arenas are the cathedrals of the future.” He later told attendees, “Do the right thing and don’t want for government to do it.” Invoking Mahatma Gandhi, Ranadive said, “Be the change you want to be.” The GSA Summit continues today and Thursday (THE DAILY).
