SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 22: Former Utah Jazz, Jerry Sloan talks to the media during a press conference before the New York Knicks game against the Utah Jazz on March 22, 2017 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
Utah Jazz: Petition for Jerry Sloan statue surging toward 1,500 signatures
As Utah Jazz legend Jerry Sloan enters the final phase of his life, fans are mobilizing to honor the former coach with a statue at Vivint Arena.
Jerry Sloan has always been a fighter. From his scrappy playing days in Chicago to the years he spent coaching a team to the very top of the Association (with a little help from Nos. 12 and 32), the Utah Jazz great’s tough-as-nails, no-nonsense approach to basketball is the stuff of legend.
Now, though, the 77-year-old is fighting a losing battle. As eloquently chronicled by The Salt Lake Tribune’s Gordon Monson, Sloan is entering the final phase of his life as Parkinson’s and Lewy body dementia take their toll on his mind and body.
With his health failing, one fan is making big moves to honor the ol’ ball coach. His mission — to prompt the Jazz and owner Gail Miller to erect a statue at Vivint Smart Home Arena while Sloan is still here to see it.
Layton, Utah’s Chad Crowell started a petition to build the statue on Change.org. After meeting initial signature goals in a matter of days, the petition is now surging toward 1,500 supporters. As of this writing, it’s at 1,253 and counting.
Wrote Crowell —
Please build Jerry Sloan his much overdue statue while we still have this wonderful man here to see it. We all know a statue is probably the last thing Jerry wants since he has always shied away from attention, but would be a great tribute for all he has done for our community and the Utah Jazz organization. If you’re a Jazz fan, please help by passing along and hopefully we can get some attention.
If ever there was a cause in Jazzland worthy of your time and support, it’s this.
In terms of wins and losses, Sloan is right up there with the greatest coaches in NBA history, accruing 1,221 regular season wins and 98 playoff wins over multiple decades. However, his contributions to the Jazz organization and the state of Utah go well beyond the stats.
Without him, the Jazz wouldn’t be where they are today.
I would encourage anyone and everyone who want to thank Sloan for his lifetime of efforts in the service of Jazz fans to stop jackpotting around and sign the petition. To do so, CLICK HERE.
