Phx Gorilla story on ESPN this Sunday

[desertdawg]

Looks like it will be worth a watch, I will be working though. This is the only link I could find, just scroll down a tad and it's in there.

http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2014/03/enterprise-journalism-release-march-20-2014/

 

[Superbone]

Looks like it will be worth a watch, I will be working though. This is the only link I could find, just scroll down a tad and it's in there.

http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2014/03/enterprise-journalism-release-march-20-2014/

So, I assume it's on 7 am Pacific/AZ?

 

[desertdawg]

So, I assume it's on 7 am Pacific/AZ?

Probably. I Might have to figure out how to record it on this COX thingy.

 

[Dr. Jones]

Set up to record. Thanks for the link.

 

[desertdawg]

Set up to record. Thanks for the link.

No worries, is it the "outside the lines" joint or the 'sports report" one? My TV doesn't give info on the particulars.

 

[Superbone]

No worries, is it the "outside the lines" joint or the 'sports report" one? My TV doesn't give info on the particulars.

As far as I can tell, it'll be a feature during the 7 am Sportscenter. The linked article said 10 am and usually Eastern time is listed. Looking at ESPN's schedule on Sunday, after the 7 am Sportscenter, there is women's college basketball for most of the day.

 

[Mainstreet]

As far as I can tell, it'll be a feature during the 7 am Sportscenter. The linked article said 10 am and usually Eastern time is listed. Looking at ESPN's schedule on Sunday, after the 7 am Sportscenter, there is women's college basketball for most of the day.

At 7 AM, say it ain't so.

 

[Superbone]

At 7 AM, say it ain't so.

Maybe they'll repeat it on the 7 PM (PT/AZ) show.

I'm recording both to be safe.

 

[gimpy]

I didn't realize he had been around so long and generated so much popularity and controversy with the NBA.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[BC867]

I tuned to ESPN at 10 AM to no avail. I guess it was EST (7 AM Phoenix time).

Henry Rojas was the original Phoenix Suns gorilla. How his routines and the music got the fans into the game. And, behind the scenes, he really got into it with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

When he was ultimately replaced by an ASU gymnast, it changed the emphasis to athletic routines. And when his buddies from ASU also became mascots in the NBA, it did the same throughout the league.

It is nice to see that our "small market" Suns innovated one aspect of the NBA. Of course, D'Antoni's seven-seconds-or-less offense/no defense philosophy also innovated the NBA, but I'm talking about a positive, lasting influence.

 

[desertdawg]

Missed it, I hope they re-air it or put it on the web, as I was really looking forward to peeping this.

 

[Superbone]

I tuned to ESPN at 10 AM to no avail. I guess it was EST (7 AM Phoenix time).

Did you not read the thread? I was trying to help you out there. Maybe it will re-air at 7 PM Phoenix time tonight.

 

[Superbone]

Ok, I just finished watching it. It was pretty interesting. Spoilers below if you plan on watching:

Henry Rojas originated the Gorilla in 1980 when he went to a game on the job as a singing telegram employee. He entertained the fans while there and ended up coming back for more and it turning into a full time gig and the Phoenix Suns Gorilla was born. He was the Gorilla for 8 years until he got tired of being behind the mask.

I wasn't aware of it but as BC mentioned, the Gorilla replacement came out of the ASU gymnastic program. His name is Bob Woolf and as BC also mentioned, many of his ASU gymnast teammates went on to become mascots around the league. Woolf was the Gorilla for 20 years before retiring from the Gorilla as in-game entertainment. However after retiring, Woolf didn't know what to do with himself and became depressed. So, after three years out of the main role, he came back and continues to be the Gorilla today at 50 years of age.

For those that missed it, hopefully it will repeat tonight at 7 PM (PT/AZ) during Sportscenter. It starts at the 37 minute mark of the hour long broadcast.

 

[BC867]

For those that missed it, hopefully it will repeat tonight at 7 PM (PT/AZ) during Sportscenter. It starts at the 37 minute mark of the hour long broadcast.

Thanks.

 

[desertdawg]

Hoping it will be on in the next half hour.

 

[Mainstreet]

Ok, I just finished watching it. It was pretty interesting. Spoilers below if you plan on watching:

Henry Rojas originated the Gorilla in 1980 when he went to a game on the job as a singing telegram employee. He entertained the fans while there and ended up coming back for more and it turning into a full time gig and the Phoenix Suns Gorilla was born. He was the Gorilla for 8 years until he got tired of being behind the mask.

I wasn't aware of it but as BC mentioned, the Gorilla replacement came out of the ASU gymnastic program. His name is Bob Wolff and as BC also mentioned, many of his ASU gymnast teammates went on to become mascots around the league. Wolff was the Gorilla for 20 years before retiring from the Gorilla as in-game entertainment. However after retiring, Wolff didn't know what to do with himself and became depressed. So, after three years out of the main role, he came back and continues to be the Gorilla today at 50 years of age.

For those that missed it, hopefully it will repeat tonight at 7 PM (PT/AZ) during Sportscenter. It starts at the 37 minute mark of the hour long broadcast.

I hope to watch it if goes on the web, but nice recap.

 

[BC867]

Yup, Superbone, it was everything you said. Good job!

For those of us who watched the Gorilla from the start, it was nostalgic. And I am sure it was informative for those who became Suns fans along the way.

How is this for nostalgia? The theme was Sirius by the Alan Parsons Project, with Jeff Munn doing the courtside announcing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBxux-eHpZw

 

[Mainstreet]

Yup, Superbone, it was everything you said. Good job!

For those of us who watched the Gorilla from the start, it was nostalgic. And I am sure it was informative for those who became Suns fans along the way.

How is this for nostalgia? The theme was Sirius by the Alan Parsons Project, with Jeff Munn doing the courtside announcing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBxux-eHpZw

That was an awesome Suns team. It was a great video, music and brought back memories. When the Suns played that song I thought they were unbeatable.

Too bad Mark West got called for every ticky tack foul there was to be had. More than half the fouls called against him I never saw.

 

[desertdawg]

I got to watch it, very nice piece. Even the commish gave the Gorilla props, and all the other mascots know where it started and also gave props. Good stuff!

 

[Mainstreet]

I believe I found a link to the video for the Suns Gorilla for those who didn't get a chance to watch.

See link below:

http://vimeo.com/89878328

 

[azmike74]

Thanks for the link. I started going to Suns games in the early 80s and remember when the new gorilla came to be. I remember when my Dad told me the Suns were going to get a new gorilla and I remember wondering if he would be as cool as the other one. lol. He seemed to do fine, and yet I have a hard time remembering my wife's birthday.