Life is Not a Lay-Up: A Jump Shot from Brooklyn to Texas

This is a story of a young man who dreamed he could be the best he could be, but wasn’t sure of the conveyance to get him there. Basketball gave him that carriage! Dribble...cut...pivot...shoot...Score! The rhythm of basketball surged through his veins, but learning the basics of an education were the farthest from his thoughts. e rigor of the classroom was not an easy to achieve, but without eligibility, basketball could not happen. Through the quarters of his life, Marty’s experiences and tenacity moved him steadily up the court and his approach to coaching/teaching developed. In my opinion his life story stimulates...activates and through his philosophical introspection...SCORES!

Joel A. Bloom, Ph.D. MSE

University of Houston

What a journey of achievement! ere are many in the health/wellness profession who have achieved, but not many who have achieved with excellence! In this profile of the life of a man who has developed into a philosopher in the purest sense of the word, MARTY URAND became a leader in fitness across the State of Texas. e discipline to play game of basketball and the people who created opportunities and the encouragement and belief in what he could do created his made of personal extension of children, teachers, administrators and parents.