REMEMBERING GEORGE
By Damon Haley | Special to South Bay Black Journal
Damon Haley and the late George Raveling
There are some lives that cannot be measured by deeds, actions, scores, wins, losses and records. There are some men who do not just change the game of life — they change how we think about the game of life. The individual and collective ‘games we play’ personally and professionally day in and day out. George was one of those men. As I share my story of George, I do not mourn him, but to marvel and memorialize him. I honor his journey that began in Washington, D.C., in a world that said no, and progressed with a man who spent his life – 88 years – showing us how to say yes — yes to possibility, yes to excellence, yes to evolving. George / GRav / Coach Raveling / Coach Rav was a living intersection between sport and one’s soul, between discipline and dreams. He carried the spirit of a scholar, the precision of a coach and the heart of a teacher. Many will only know information, stats and his bio – Washington State, Iowa, USC, MLK Speech ownership, Michael Jordan Connection, Nike, etc. But I was fortunate to know his heart, his mission, his purpose. I know his truth. He was not just about basketball. He was about being in contribution, sharing, achieving excellence, being one’s best self. I often share that the brand evolves when the human evolves. George lived both as a power player in the business of basketball and a gentle, tender loving man. He evolved from a youngster growing up in tough times…..to achieving many firsts. From being on the sideline to a seat in a variety of C-Suites. From the east coast to the midwest to the west coast to around the world…maybe 3-4 times. From basketball to global brotherhood. From Xs and Os to executive. From leadership to legacy. George understood something most of us miss — that greatness is a team not an individual sport. He took batons early in life from his grandma, coaches and even Dr. Martin Luther King and shared it with every player, every coach, every colleague, every friend, every moment throughout his journey of life. George was the perfect fit on every team, in every sport, in any room, everywhere on God’s earth. I celebrate the wholeness and holiness of George — not just within basketball, but within me. His presence is cemented in my heart. His shared intellect will always be mine to share. His kindness will serve as my adopted coaching style. So as I move through time — as I hear the stories, the moments, the accomplishments of George, I do it with celebration, with gratitude, with the courage to evolve. And I remember, George did not just leave us a legacy, he left us a mandate to think deeper, dream louder and lead differently. And that’s why I do not bid George goodbye or farewell. I will remain committed to honor and remember George so that his light will always shine brightly through me so that I can share his light through me. Forever more with my family, friends and those who were not as blessed as I was to know and love George…like he knew and loved me.
