Tommy Nunez
Phoenix, Arizona
Nuñez, the 12th Gold Whistle Award recipient, is being recognized for his work as the founder and coordinator of the National Hispanic Basketball Classic (NHBC) in Phoenix. The tournament began in 1980 and its main goal is to raise funds to help defray expenses of academic and athletic activities for disadvantaged and high-risk youth. The program emphasizes staying in school and maintaining a drug-free lifestyle.

In addition to conducting the annual tournament, Nuñez spends countless hours speaking to children at schools, conducts several free basketball clinics in the southwestern region of the U.S., and makes motivational speeches to adult organizations nationwide. He has received several prestigious awards in the past, including the "Rising Voices Award" from Nestle USA and the Roberto Clemente "National Humanitarian Award" presented by the National Council of La Raza in Washington, D.C.

Nuñez's commitment springs from his experiences as a "kid from the barrio." He grew up in the projects of Phoenix in a single-parent home, and was, as he says, a "problem child."
Since 1980, the NHBC has been conducted on Labor Day weekend and has awarded more than 30 college scholarships to young people.

"We tend to focus on the average students, the B-minus or C-plus students," Nuñez states, "rather than on A and B students because the A and B students are going to get some money somewhere along the way. The ones who scratch and work hard to get a B-minus or a C-plus - they're the ones who need the help. We don't just focus on sports though. That's not a criterion for the scholarships."

Nuñez has been able to secure volunteer referees from the NBA and the NCAA as well as the amateur ranks. Last year, 14 NBA referees were among the more than 80 officials for the tournament.

For the last 12 years, NHBC has also sponsored three basketball "stay-in-school" summer clinics in Washington, D.C., California and Arizona. Kids attend the three-day event at no charge. Also, NHBC sponsors a seventh and eighth grade basketball league in Phoenix.

Nuñez's autobiography entitled, Taking My Best Shot, was published in 1996. The proceeds from sales are used to support the scholarship program.

"I just wanted to give back to the community because some good things have happened to me," said Nuñez. "When the cup runneth over, you might as well give some of that which runs over to other people - it's love, not work."