Grant Hill announced as spokesman for the arts

Grant Hill has an eye on the future. “In my world, competition is fierce on and off the court,” the Phoenix Suns forward says in a new public service announcement. “It’s more important than ever to prepare the next generation to face challenges head on.”

Hill believes exposure to the arts is significant to that preparation. That’s why he signed on to be campaign spokesperson for The Choice is Art, a four-year statewide campaign by the Arizona Commission on the Arts to promote access to arts education.

In his first PSA for the program, Hill describes the positive effects that the arts bring: “The arts teach skills like discipline, dedication and teamwork. And for kids struggling with academic, social or family challenges, the arts can change lives.”

Hill is no stranger to the arts; he and his wife, Grammy-nominated singer Tamia Hill have been longtime patrons. In fact, their 46-pierce collection of African-American art went on tour as the Something All Our Own: The Grant Hill Collection of African American Art exhibition from 2003-2006. The collection featured several major works from acclaimed artists Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, Hughie Lee Smith and John Biggers.

“From a young age, my father instilled in me a respect for well-crafted and historically significant artifacts and works of art,” Hill writes in a letter of support for the campaign. “He took me to museums and taught me to appreciate the energetic vision of artists, especially African-American artists. This family tradition of collecting is another reason I continue to acquire impactful works of art. Now, as a father myself, I recognize the value of passing this appreciation on to my two children. They have a natural affinity for creative works, and it is inspiring to see them make their own artistic discoveries.”

A veteran of the NBA, Hill graduated from Duke University in 1994 and became one of the best all-around players in the league at that time, sharing Rookie of the Year Award honors with Jason Kidd. After being plagued with injuries throughout the prime of his career, Hill came to Phoenix in 2007 and joined Steve Nash as a team captain. He won his first career playoff series victory in 2010, when the Suns swept the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Semifinals, and averaged 13.2 points per game in the 2010-11 season. — Robert T. Balint

Listen to RAK’s 2008 interview with Grant Hill.

Read about Hill’s experiences juggling minutes on the court and quality time with his two little girls, Myla and Lael.

Hill also promotes healthy, active lifestyles for kids. In January, we wrote about his involvement with the Kids Sports Stars healthy lifestyle challenge.

Grant Hill’s thoughts on fatherhood, from a Father’s Day interview in 2008.

Ann Meyers Drysdale to receive YWCA honor

Phoenix Mercury President and General Manager Ann Meyers Drysdale has been named the YWCA’s Sports Leader of the Year. The honor will be presented at the 18th Annual Tribute to Women luncheon tomorrow at the Arizona Biltmore.

Meyers Drysdale and two of her three children, DJ and Drew, appeared in a July 2009 cover story by multimedia journalist Vicki Louk Balint, who also recorded a podcast from her interview. Publisher & Editor Karen Barr wrote about the cover shoot, which took place in the Mercury locker room, in her blog, Behind the ‘Zine.

And thanks to help from audio/video production colleague Rob Turchick of yipDog Studios, we also posted a video featuring part of the interview.

Meyers Drysdale is entering her fifth season with the two-time WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury (2009, 2007). Enshrined into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. as a player in 1993, Meyers Drysdale’s basketball resume spans over four decades beginning with becoming the first high school player ever to make a United States National Team in 1974.

As an amateur, Meyers Drysdale was the first woman to receive a full athletic scholarship from UCLA. The Bruins basketball legend was a four-time Kodak All-American, the first male or female to achieve that honor, and was the first female to be named to the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

In 1976, she represented the United States in the Olympics, where she earned a silver medal as part of the first women’s US Olympic Basketball team.

Meyers Drysdale remains the only female ever to sign a free-agent contract with an NBA team when she signed with the Indiana Pacers in 1979. After being released by the Pacers, she provided color commentary for Pacers broadcasts and was the first woman to broadcast an NBA game.

In addition to her career on the court, Meyers Drysdale has established herself as an expert analyst on ESPN, NBC, ABC, FOX Sports and CBS and has done commentary for men’s and women’s basketball, softball, tennis, volleyball and baseball since 1979.

Meyers Drysdale, along with 10 other honorees, will be recognized at the event for accomplishments in their respective careers. For a full list of the honorees, visit ywcaaz.org.

Give the gift of life

Coyotes Captain Shane Doan.

The Phoenix Coyotes have teamed up with United Blood Services to score a lifesaving goal for Arizona hospital patients. All February blood donors will be entered to win one of three pairs of Coyotes suite tickets, courtesy of Coyotes Captain Shane Doan. The winners will be in attendance to cheer on the Coyotes in their March 26 game against the San Jose Sharks at Jobing.com Arena.

A father of four and an active blood donor, Doan has made it his personal goal to make sure Arizona kids have the lifesaving blood transfusions they need.

Blood donors help save kids like 13-year-old twins Joshua and Jordan, who require blood transfusions at Phoenix Children’s Hospital about every two months. Both boys were born with the most severe form of Sickle Cell Disease, a genetic disorder that causes deformed red blood cells. So far in their young lives, more than 125 blood donors have become their heroes. “Blood donors save my sons’ lives over and over,” says their mom, Kristine.

Long-term supporters of the community blood program, the Phoenix Coyotes have continually utilized their resources to encourage people to donate blood. “It is a win-win situation,” says Doan. “We are anxious to make an impact for fans both on and off the ice.”

United Blood Services will be conducting blood drives on the following dates:

Sunday, Feb. 20 from 7:30am-12:30pm at Paradise Valley United Methodist Church, 4455 E Lincoln, and 8am-12:30pm at Franciscan Renewal Center, 5802 E Lincoln Dr, Garces Room.

Sunday, Feb. 27 from 7:30am-12:30pm at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church Scottsdale, 11300 N 64th St, Social Hall East.

You can also schedule an appointment to donate blood. Call 1-877-448-GIVE (4483) or visit UnitedBloodServicesAZ.org and enter your zip code.