Hot Rod Hundley: The Man with a Lot to Smile About! By Kathleen GageOne of
first things you notice about Hot Rod Hundley is his contagious smile. Anyone within eyeshot is quickly drawn to this former NBA All Star.
Most folks know Rod Hundley as announcer for Utah Jazz games on radio and television. He has distinction of being only NBA player who is also an NBA announcer. With a unique style and familiar voice that have made him one of most popular and well-recognized broadcasters ever, public perception can often be deceiving.
I had heard rumors about Hot Rod Hundley that made me wonder who I would be encountering. Contrary to what I had heard, rather than meeting a hard drinking, womanizer who is only concerned about pinching pennies, I encountered a caring grandfather and a man who has done more for children’s causes than most people can even begin to imagine.
So much of who Hot Rod is today was influenced by his tough upbringing in Charleston, West Virginia. Abandoned by his parents at an early age, Rod learned early on to fend for himself. He quickly learned not to grow too attached to any one person or place. His formative years were ones that didn’t offer a lot of stability. In his young mind, only thing he knew he could count on was basketball.
As he tells it, “I went from basketball, then education, then pro player, then broadcasting.”
When his career took off, he was able to occasionally visit his birth mother when he would go to Washington, D.C. He remembers how hard she had to work to support herself. When she could find work, she was a waitress or found jobs in hotels. Rod’s mother lived a tough life until she passed on at age of 82.
Never knowing his father, Rod had to determine his role as a father for himself. One of saving graces for Rod was his experiences as a kid at YMCA.
“I used to sneak into Y so I could stay off streets and I would have somewhere to spend my days. There was a guy that would help me get in. I spent most of my time playing basketball.”
Another favorite place for Hot Rod to hang out was Boys and Girls Club. It was these experiences in his formative years that are evident in time and energy he gives back to nonprofit organizations such as YMCA.
The first opportunity I had to see Hot Rod “in action” was at The YMCA's Sports Night to benefit kids. As one of YMCA’s primary fundraisers each year, with Hot Rod in driver’s seat being roasted, organization was able to raise $95,000 for YMCA Camp Roger.
“What I experienced as a kid I now give back to. It’s just something I do. I know what it feels like to need safety of a place like Y or Boys and Girls Club,” Rod says matter-of-factly.
At an early age, Rod was known for his great smile. He had one teacher, Mrs. Anderson, who said to keep smiling. But he didn’t always have something to smile about. Due to his rough upbringing, his dental health deteriorated to point that he had to have major work done in early 1970’s. At that time, cosmetic dentistry was not very popular. Qualified cosmetic dentists were few and far between.
Hot Rod was fortunate enough to find a cosmetic dentist that was relatively good at what he did. But dental products made then were no match for high quality products found today.
When Rod moved to Salt Lake in 1980’s he needed to find another dentist. He was introduced to Dr. Scott Kiser of Smiles Dentistry through his insurance agent. At that point in his life, he had become very comfortable financially. He was no longer limited as to who could see for his dental care.
“I liked Dr. Kiser from first time I met him. He is very personable and really knows what he is doing. A great dentist. “
“Funny how you can know someone for so long and yet there are things about them you don’t know. When we were working on big benefit for YMCA, I was asked to attend a Board of Directors meeting. Little did I realize that Dr. Kiser sits on board of YMCA. Have to say, that only served to make me respect him that much more. It was a great surprise.”
