Suns CEO Jerry Colangelo on the Attacks
Posted: Sept. 13, 2001
Suns.com spoke with Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks Chairman Jerry Colangelo by phone Thursday afternoon regarding Tuesday's terrorist attacks on America. The following is a transcript of that conversation.
Suns.com: What are your feelings regarding the horrific events that have taken place this week in our country?
Colangelo: Shock. Like every other American who woke up Tuesday morning to the news of the tragedies that were taking place, I have been mesmerized by the whole situation as it has unfolded. And then having mixed with that emotion, (there is) the desire to want to strike back as quickly as possible.
We're going through something that I've never experienced in my lifetime. This tragedy is right at the top of the list and we as a country have an awful lot of sobering up to do as it relates to the vulnerability that, obviously, we have. But I am very confident that the resolve of the American people will make this even a greater country, and it's a time to focus on those issues and not the mundane thoughts of every day life, as it relates to games, by way of example, and entertainment. Right now the focus should be on prayer, your loved ones and what makes America such a great country. We've been violated and we need to deal with that.
Suns.com: You talked about the trivial issues of every day life. How hard is it to get back to work and back to thinking about sports and business?
Colangelo: Very difficult for me because I've been in a funk all week. It's very difficult for me to focus on anything but the current events as things continue to unfold. I pray that the attack is over and I would hope that in terms of this cleanup we can find the people who are missing and deal with what we need to do. Tomorrow is a national day of mourning and we should all be in prayer during this time, and then at some appropriate time, get on with our lives.
Suns.com: Is there some role that you think sports can play in helping to lift people's spirits in the midst of all this tragedy?
Colangelo: It's important for people to have healing. The only question has been, when does that process start? I think you have to go through the shock, go through the mourning, before healing can take place. So as leagues and conferences have canceled games, that's exactly what will take place. But real soon, we'll start the healing process and we need to get back to normalcy, and professional sports, college sports, offer a diversion for people to give them an opportunity to get their minds and everything else away from what we've seen on the television screen for the last three days.
Suns.com: Do you personally know anyone in New York or the nation's capitol, who were directly affected by this?
Colangelo: With all of the people that you believe you know through all kinds of associations, I'm aware of certain situations. Some of the people have been found. There happens to be one former NBA official, whose son has not been found. That's the closest that I can recall at this time.
Suns.com: Is there anything the NBA or Major League Baseball is currently planning to help the victims and families in need?
Colangelo: There will be many initiatives that Major League Baseball will implement immediately, in terms of financial commitments, in terms of recognition, in terms of being a part of this healing process, which will all be announced over the next few days. As will the NBA at the appropriate time. Again, I think each league is dealing with the immediacy of schedules and cancellations and will be making announcements forthcoming.
Suns.com: Lastly, what is your current situation? We understand that you are currently stuck outside the state, and Suns President Bryan Colangelo is actually outside of the country, waiting for regular air travel to resume?
Colangelo: Yes. Bryan has been over in Europe, actually in Turkey, and is presently in Italy with his family. He was over there to watch some international basketball games and is now on hold over in Milan.
I've been in Milwaukee in anticipation of the Major League Baseball owners meetings, which were to begin Tuesday and have now been canceled. As soon as the opportunity presents itself, I will be returning to Phoenix.
Suns.com spoke with Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks Chairman Jerry Colangelo by phone Thursday afternoon regarding Tuesday's terrorist attacks on America. The following is a transcript of that conversation.
Suns.com: What are your feelings regarding the horrific events that have taken place this week in our country?
Colangelo: Shock. Like every other American who woke up Tuesday morning to the news of the tragedies that were taking place, I have been mesmerized by the whole situation as it has unfolded. And then having mixed with that emotion, (there is) the desire to want to strike back as quickly as possible.
We're going through something that I've never experienced in my lifetime. This tragedy is right at the top of the list and we as a country have an awful lot of sobering up to do as it relates to the vulnerability that, obviously, we have. But I am very confident that the resolve of the American people will make this even a greater country, and it's a time to focus on those issues and not the mundane thoughts of every day life, as it relates to games, by way of example, and entertainment. Right now the focus should be on prayer, your loved ones and what makes America such a great country. We've been violated and we need to deal with that.
Suns.com: You talked about the trivial issues of every day life. How hard is it to get back to work and back to thinking about sports and business?
Colangelo: Very difficult for me because I've been in a funk all week. It's very difficult for me to focus on anything but the current events as things continue to unfold. I pray that the attack is over and I would hope that in terms of this cleanup we can find the people who are missing and deal with what we need to do. Tomorrow is a national day of mourning and we should all be in prayer during this time, and then at some appropriate time, get on with our lives.
Suns.com: Is there some role that you think sports can play in helping to lift people's spirits in the midst of all this tragedy?
Colangelo: It's important for people to have healing. The only question has been, when does that process start? I think you have to go through the shock, go through the mourning, before healing can take place. So as leagues and conferences have canceled games, that's exactly what will take place. But real soon, we'll start the healing process and we need to get back to normalcy, and professional sports, college sports, offer a diversion for people to give them an opportunity to get their minds and everything else away from what we've seen on the television screen for the last three days.
Suns.com: Do you personally know anyone in New York or the nation's capitol, who were directly affected by this?
Colangelo: With all of the people that you believe you know through all kinds of associations, I'm aware of certain situations. Some of the people have been found. There happens to be one former NBA official, whose son has not been found. That's the closest that I can recall at this time.
Suns.com: Is there anything the NBA or Major League Baseball is currently planning to help the victims and families in need?
Colangelo: There will be many initiatives that Major League Baseball will implement immediately, in terms of financial commitments, in terms of recognition, in terms of being a part of this healing process, which will all be announced over the next few days. As will the NBA at the appropriate time. Again, I think each league is dealing with the immediacy of schedules and cancellations and will be making announcements forthcoming.
Suns.com: Lastly, what is your current situation? We understand that you are currently stuck outside the state, and Suns President Bryan Colangelo is actually outside of the country, waiting for regular air travel to resume?
Colangelo: Yes. Bryan has been over in Europe, actually in Turkey, and is presently in Italy with his family. He was over there to watch some international basketball games and is now on hold over in Milan.
I've been in Milwaukee in anticipation of the Major League Baseball owners meetings, which were to begin Tuesday and have now been canceled. As soon as the opportunity presents itself, I will be returning to Phoenix.
