I believe that Benny the Jet from The Sandlot had it right. Basketball is a addiction to some of us, a way of life and sport all combined with a ball and a hoop. It's true hero's are remembered but legends like John "The Animal" Munro will ultimately never die!
John has played the game of basketball for thirty plus years and as I experienced John plays the game as hard now as he did when he was 18. John accomplishments are endless, BC High School Provincial All Star, Canadian Junior National Team Member, Best Import, CIAU National Champion with the University of Victoria Vikes to name a few. He could easily live upon those accolades but his determined personality would never let him. Over the last 20 years John has run a resort and bar in the Philippines on one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Also commanding and running the basketball fever that engulfs this community and in turn the game that he grew up on has never left his blood.
John is a player that every coach yearns to have. His versatility allows him to play and defend any position on the floor. His silky soft touch creates scoring opportunities at will and his relentless, aggressive defence strikes fear in the hearts of any offensive threat. Nick named "The Animal" a game is not complete with John unless he has taken five charges, dived out of bounds fourteen times and hit the ground on the slightest potential for a loose ball. I believe that John has also found a magical fountain of youth because his game only continues to get better with age.
All this a side, I believe that John's biggest accomplishment in the game of basketball is what he has given back to it over his thirty years of mayhem.I lived with John Munro for a year and a half of my life and have never experienced a more generous, giving and thankful man. John gives back to the sport every time he graces the court with his presence. Playing on outside concrete courts in the plaza(Philippine Basketball Court), five steps from the beach and John's house. You watch as Filipino children mimic John's play, his style, his jump shot, his aggressive attitude and swagger. As he walks back for his fifteen hour shift at his business you watch in awe as every kid in the plaza fights for the ball as if they were all The Animal. Every person who has ever picked up a ball in the court knows, respects, appreciates and likes John. It is tremendously rare in today's world where you find an athlete so admired, respected and competitive.
John does not lose!
I sat and appreciated the generosity of this amazing man. Numerous times I watched John put on massive basketball tournaments for every single child on that island. Organizing sponsors, reffing, paying for sound systems and bank rolling jerseys. I observed as Filipino kid's who didn't have shoes(They played in sandals), let alone a house would be able to put on a real basketball jersey for the first time. Those smiles will be imprinted in my mind for the rest of my life. After these tournaments I would hear John talk with pride about the day, the events, the basketball. Always thanking everyone else but himself.
The best basketball experience of my life I owe to John. Before my time was up in the Philippines John organized the Boracay All Star Traveling Basketball Team.(Picture above)This team was the best players from the island all wanting to go out and represent what Boracay Basketball was all about. John funded this entire trip, paying for jersey's, vans, food, travel and organizing each sponsor. He organized games and events for the guys between those games. We traveled down to Iliolo one of the bigger cities in the Visayan Area. John scheduled us a game with a local team as well as a local universities. For these guys this was their N.B.A. Championship and unexpectedly it also became mine. The memories, friendships and undefeated record that our team experienced during that trip will remain with all of us forever. During the games John inspired us! Leading us whethor hitting a big shot down the stretch or running over a cement pillar holding up the hoop. He refused to let our team lose, making it not even an option. I was amazed at how we all followed .Our team believed after that weekend the Boracay Island All Stars could have won the N.C.A.A. Championship and that was all due to John!!
John continues to do all of this today! Along with his son Chico Munro they form the most dominant father son tandem since Bill and Luke Walton. John has done all of this regardless of recieving praise or not! He did it because he loves his family and he loves the sport that his father Nev so graciously passed onto him. I am excited for the day when I can go watch Chico run these same tournaments just as Nev must have been excited to watch and hear about John's. I know that hero's are remembered but I also know that in 200 years the legend of "The Animal" will live on!
