Walter Bond

Biography

When did Walter realize that no one can stop him?
That he alone possesses the ability to move from the comfort zone of mediocrity to the success zone of peak performance? This realization came – slowly at first – when he was a young man growing up in a loving, upper-middle class family in Chicago. An avid sports enthusiast and the son of a high school principal and teacher, Walter learned from both parents that he would have to work hard in the classroom and on the basketball court if he wanted to achieve his dream of playing basketball at a professional level. Throughout grade school and high school, Walter never let adversity stop him from being the best student-athlete he could be. He studied hard and practiced day in and day out on the basketball court in his backyard. Under the tutelage of his father and his high school coach, Walter attained a coveted spot as an All-State player in Illinois his senior year. This recognition reinforced Walter’s commitment to excellence and helped him earn a basketball scholarship to the University of Minnesota.

Walter’s strong will, his ability to motivate his teammates (while keeping them laughing) and his “can-do” attitude helped him become a nationally recognized college player. By the beginning of his senior year Walter was known as the top sixth man in the NCAA. Unfortunately, Walter suffered a broken foot not once but twice during his senior year – at a time when many top division one players were being courted by the NBA. Walter’s “No one can stop you but YOU” belief and his confidence in himself were put to the test. However, Walter knew then, as he knows now, that there was no way he would ever give up on his dreams.

After graduating from the University of Minnesota with a BA in Communications, Walter worked tirelessly at his game and landed a position on the Wichita Falls Texans, a team in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), the developmental league for the NBA. He made a remarkable comeback finishing the year stronger, quicker and more determined than ever. His ability to overcome what could have been career-ending adversity and his desire to succeed made Walter work harder than he ever had. That year he made the all-rookie team and was spotted by the son of Richie Adabato, then coach of the Dallas Mavericks. Walter’s reputation as an exceptional guard began to spread like wildfire. He was invited to a number of free agent camps at the end of his first CBA season and Adabato was so impressed that he signed Walter to play with the Mavericks. That fall, he became the first ever rookie free agent to start opening night. Walter, the young man who never, ever gave up on his dreams, went on to have an eight-year professional basketball career, playing along side such NBA greats as Karl Malone and John Stockton as a guard for the Utah Jazz and the Detroit Pistons.

Toward the end of his basketball career, Walter developed the ability to apply on-the-court success and teamwork to the business world when he and his wife became owners of a national franchise. Walter changed his profession but never changed his winning attitude.

Titles

No One Can Stop You, But YOU!
TEAMWORK: The Best Team Always Wins!
CHANGE: Renewing Your Mind to Increase Your Value!
LEADERSHIP: Winners, Losers and Champions - There is a Difference
ATTITUDE: The Winning Edge