Diversity | Inspiration | Motivation | Sports | Teamwork From the youth to the corporate world, Thurl Bailey inspires others to win, whatever the odds or disappointments. Master storyteller and accomplished speaker, he inspires companies and individuals to focus on what matters most, to persevere and build winning teams, encourage peak performance, develop leadership, and discover opportunity in change. Thurl Bailey leads a busy life as a professional speaker, singer and songwriter, businessman, community advocate and game analyst for the Utah Jazz and the University of Utah Men’s Basketball. Thurl Bailey is retired from professional basketball, having ended his professional basketball career with an encore season in 2001. Twice Thurl Bailey has led teams from far behind to win national championships. Because of his outstanding leadership skills and the quality of his character, as well as his impressive basketball skills, the Utah Jazz drafted Thurl as the 1983 seventh overall pick of the NBA Draft. In his sixteen-year professional basketball career, Mr. Bailey spent twelve years in the NBA, and four years playing overseas in Italy and Greece. His courtesy and integrity both on and off the court and his strong sense of community service have led to numerous civic awards and earned him the nickname “NBA’s Mr. Nice Guy.” When first meeting Thurl Bailey, audiences notice a tall (6’ 11”) athlete. But he is a man of as much depth as height. Thurl Bailey is a gifted inspirational singer and songwriter. His first album, Faith In Your Heart, (released in 2000) was a best seller. His second album, The Gift of Christmas, released the following year, experienced successful record sales. His CD, I’m Not The Same, is a selection of uplifting R & B tunes. Among his many musical awards are the 2000 Pearl Awards of Best Contemporary Recording and Best New Artist of the Year. Mr. Thurl Bailey’s other awards include the NBA’s prestigious J. Walter Kennedy Community Service Award, the Utah Association for Gifted Children Community Service Award, Sigma Gamma Chi Fraternity’s Exemplary Manhood Award, The Great Salt Lake Council of the Boy Scouts of America’s American Champion Award, and the Italian League’s 1998 All Star Games’ Most Valuable Player. One of Thurl Bailey’s favorite activities is the non-profit youth basketball camp he has led for over 17 years. His camps teach important life skills and have now been expanded to the corporate world to help businesses build winning teams and effective leaders. Additionally, he has a foundation called Big TLC, which raises money for various charities. He participates in read-to-achieve programs in schools, and works with charities such as Make-A-Wish, DARE, and the Happy Factory. Thurl Bailey is a member of a national speakers bureau, giving motivational speeches and sometimes a brief concert to corporations. His community work and music have attracted audiences, but his biggest demand is to speak to groups about his conversion to the Mormon faith and about his interracial marriage. Thurl Bailey is intent on using his experiences in religion and race to influence people, even when he is instructing at his basketball camps.
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