by Barbara Marvis
With Introduction by Jose Ronstadt, host of Hola, Los Angeles for KVEA-TV, Los Angeles, CA
Tommy Nunez grew up poor in the Phoenix barrio. He lived most of his childhood years in government housing projects. His parents divorced when he was just eleven. He was the class clown, the quick-witted mischief maker. He went to school only to play sports.
Even when he got a coveted scholarship to attend St. Mary's High School, Tommy didn't stop misbehaving. Kicked out of school in his sophomore year, Tommmy was on the fast track to nowhere. By the time he was seventeen, he was in trouble with the law.
Today, Tommy is the only Hispanic to officiate for any of the major sports. But that's not what makes Tommy so special. He turned his life around and went on to become someone he is proud of. Then he wanted to give something back.
So in his off-season, Tommy works with disadvantaged youth, motivating them to stay in school. He puts together basketball clinics and gets NBA players to donate their time. He raises money for disadvantaged youth to attend college. Father Blaise Cronin calls Tommy "The biggest celebrity we ever kicked out of St. Mary's!"
What people are saying about Tommy Nuñez, NBA Referee: Taking my Best Shot:
"Marvis' biography will appeal to readers, including reluctant ones who like sports...This is also a good choice for general biography collection development, as it underscores difficulties encountered by many hispanics in the U.S."
--Booklist
"...This is an engaging biography that will expose basketball fans to the work of a referee and to the upbringing, aspirations, and pride of the NBA's first Mexican-American referee."
--Multicultural Review
About the Book
Interest Level: grades 5-10Reading Level: grades 5-67 1/4" X 9 1/4"80 pp.Over 30 B & W photos throughoutChronologyIndex
Paperback: 1-883845-28-9 | $10.95
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