Join James Donaldson on Standing Above the Crowd sports talk radio show
Saturday, April 16, 2022 at 10am (PST)
Special Guest Washington State Senator John Lovick
Listen to the show live at 347-205-9631
or
Call in and submit your questions to the live show at 347-205-9631
John Lovick brief information
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — March 29, 2022
Bainbridge Island – #Pickleball was signed into law as Washington state’s official state sport Monday after prime sponsor #Sen.JohnLovick (D-#MillCreek) rallied cries to codify the beloved paddle ball styled game.
“For many of us, this has been a difficult couple of years. As we dust ourselves off from the #pandemic, we need something to give us hope and something to remind us to have fun. #Pickleball does just that,” said Lovick. “Inspired by a dear neighbor of mine, I decided to make pickleball my freshman bill in the Senate.”
Lovick said that upon his recent transition from the #WashingtonState #HouseofRepresentatives to the #WashingtonState #Senate, he sought to identify a “good bill that would underscore principles of unity and togetherness.”
“From youngsters and college students to the senior sporting community, people from all walks of life can play #pickleball—and they do!” said Lovick. “When I first introduced this bill through to passage, from the very beginning until today, I have met just about everyone you could think of on the pickleball courts. #Pickleball is for everyone.”
Joined at the inaugural pickleball bill signing by #Gov.JayInslee were community members and #pickleball stakeholders from across the nation, some of which went to great lengths to attend the historic event, including #USAPickleball CEO #StuUpson, who flew in from Florida.
“On behalf of #USAPickleball, and our members, we want to congratulate and thank #Gov.Inslee, Sen. Lovick and the local Bainbridge Island #pickleball community for bringing this bill forward to make #pickleball the official state sport of #Washington,” said Upson. “It was an honor to participate in this monumental day and be able to pay tribute to the original founders, Joel Pritchard, Barney McCallum and Bill Bell, in the presence of their family members and say thank you for introducing us to the sport of #pickleball. The game has truly been life-changing for so many people and we look forward to continuing the momentum as we head into April, which is #NationalPickleballMonth.”
Paddles were signed and many donated to museums and other historic points of convergence meaningful to pickleball aficionados. “#Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports today, and Washingtonians are appropriately prideful in its origins right here in the Evergreen State,” said Inslee. “The first serve in #pickleball is always made from the northwest corner of the court to honor the game’s roots, and this legislation plants those roots even deeper.”
Listen to the show live at 347-205-9631
or
Call in and submit your questions to the live show at 347-205-9631
| James Donaldson has complied quite a list of accomplishments over the years. Washington State University graduate ’79, Small business owner for 28 years, 40 years involved in his community with youth programs, education, mentoring, women and minority business advocate, political candidate and a 20 year professional basketball, including 14 years in the NBA with an All Star appearance in 1988! Currently, James is an advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention as he is the Executive Director of his own non profit 5013c foundation Your Gift of Life Foundation Now join James Donaldson as he hosts his own sports radio talk show with a variety of intriguing, inspiring and interesting guest each and every week. Every Saturday at 10am (PST) |
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| Contact James Donaldson Here |
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
