Face of Inspiration – Steve Nash

Posted By Chris Bingham on Mar 24 2010
Filed In: Business

Background:

While at Santa Clara University, Steve Nash was twice West Coast Conference Player of the Year.  After graduating as the school’s all-time leader in assists, he was selected as the 15th pick by the Phoenix Suns in the 1996 NBA Draft. He was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 1998. He became a free agent after the 2003–04 season and returned to the Phoenix Suns.

In the 2004–05 season, Nash was named the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). He was named MVP again in the 2005–06 season. Named by ESPN in 2006 as the ninth greatest point guard of all time.

Nash’s achievements include: 2 x NBA MVP, 7 x NBA All-Star, 3 x All-NBA First Team, 1 x All NBA Second Team, and 2 x All NBA Third Team.

Nash is involved in philanthropic work on behalf of young people through the Steve Nash Foundation. In 2006, Time named him as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. In 2007, Nash received Canada’s highest civilian honour, the Order of Canada. In 2008, he received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame. In September 2009, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree by the University of Victoria.

Why is he on the wall?:

Steve Nash is not the prototypical NBA MVP.  Have you seen him?  He’s a 6 foot 3 inch point guard who was born in South Africa to British parents.  He grew up in Canada.  He attended Santa Clara University, a school that has only produced 15 NBA players ever with Nash being the only All-Star or MVP selection.

Steve Nash has not only stayed out of trouble but has become known for his philanthropic efforts, in particular on behalf of children through the Steve Nash Foundation.  This foundation was established in 2001 in order to fund projects that provide services to children affected by poverty, illness, abuse, or neglect, and create opportunity for education, play, and empowerment.

Nash is also environmentally conscious.  He wrote and produced a commercial for Nike called “The Sixty Million Dollar Man” to advertise their eco-friendly Trash Talk shoe, the first high-performance shoe to be made (as requested by Nash) from recycled materials. Nash has worn the shoe since February 2008. The ad was released on Earth Day 2008.

Overall, Nash is the unlikeliest of leaders at his craft who has a passion for the environment and a heart for service.  Reminds me of Riley Life…

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