A friend and former basketball player who I REFEREEd when he was in high school, is now a videographer and one of his clients is a popular magazine in Chicago. I hired him to video two anniversary events for a breakfast networking group where I am the President.
In addition to stories on business owners, he's produced video stories on entertainers and other people whose stories you should know. He's also done stories on local basketball stars. Specifically those who rose from the playgrounds to college and to the pro level.
Before they left the city for college, these basketball stars had a proverbial "Pass" that allowed them protected access to play in many neighborhoods without threat of any violence towards them. Never once mentioned or even thought of is the fact that wherever these players played with "Passes", there were at least two REFEREEs on that game. I called my friend and suggested, and he thought it a good idea, that he do a story about REFEREEs. He asked me to pull together some information and thoughts. Following are my initial thoughts on the "Pass". Along with the video story, now I'll be published. Imagine that!.
REFEREE is a book regarding personal commitment, judgment, loyalty, as well as dedication. Cliff, as most of us call him, has lived a life replete with all of these areas of focus. It was the late great Maya Angelou who said, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget HOW you made them feel." This book, REFEREE, will leave you feeling what it's like to live a life of purpose. Cliff has sought to share what he's learned in life as well as why it's important to pass these lessons along to others.
Bailey, Clifford J.: - Over time, there have been various definitions used to describe a "Role Model". Most real role models don't see themselves as such. They set out to make a difference in people's lives and before we know it, they are categorized as role models. Very few people see themselves or call themselves role models even if they are truly doing the dedicated work they are committed to. In fact, the title role model is usually thrust on a deserving person versus a title given to oneself. Often when asked if they consider themselves to be a role model, most people will humbly say they don't consider themselves as such. It gets even more complicated when you try to get a role model to consider rather or not they are a "Hero". It doesn't take a lot of research to conclude that one can be a hero without being a role model, but one can't be a role model without being hero. This may sound subjective, but all one has to do is look at the life's work of Clifford Bailey. If you are not aware of the details of Mr. Bailey's life, once you've had a chance to read this book, you will be convinced that he has lived the life of a role model and as a result he is a hero to most, if not everyone, who has encountered him.
