Jack Pollon: Loyal to the Game

Everyone knows Jack Pollon - he's that good guy always putting on hoop showcases and who gave us a generation of sports writing while with the LA Daily News and nowadays with the Ventura County Star.

But what set him on this 20+ year journey to share sports, what makes him tick?

Hear it from him, "Playoffs, basketball, 93-94 and I'm a senior playing for Montclair Prep. Then can you believe it? They shaved off how many teams who could participate in the basketball Southern Section playoffs.

“Being denied that opportunity, it's fueled my mission to set up events for others. I've turned that bad taste in my mouth into a positive. Everyone getting that shot to shine, that's what my life has been about."

And sharing he has, whether it's Valley Fall/Spring Showcases, where then unknown talents such as Paul George, now an NBA star, was just another kid with a dream.

J-Pollon is that guy who has provided the venues, "People tell me, ‘Wow, you knew Nick Young and Jrue Holiday as youngsters?’ I say yes, but I tell people it's about helping everyone. All kids deserve to get exposure.

“Seeing kids make it to a place like Cal Lutheran or Cal State Fullerton is just as cool to me as seeing a kid make it to the NBA. I'm rooting for all the kids because each dream is just as important to each youngster growing up."

Jack has this empathy for kids and I think because of my experience as a teacher for 22 years, I can see it in his eyes when he says, "Running showcases is intense. People want you to to be everything to everybody but I just keep it real, try to make it fun.

“It’s less about me being a talent evaluator and more about seeing that smile on a kid's face when you write something good about them.

“I think about my own 8 year old daughter, who plays softball, and tell myself my mission is to do right by kids in my showcases. I write about them as if they're my own kid, there's joy going on. I feel strongly to do it right."

Me, E-Woods, I wonder how many parents are sucking the joy from sports nowadays? How many are on popular websites like SoCalHoops blasting others to vent?

Too many. But Jack has stayed with it for years when others succumbed to the frustration that is youth/prep basketball. Him writing and putting on events, he can't imagine quitting because he feels so invested and loyal to his mission.

He says, "I've built so many friendships in sports, dedicated my life to it because you see kids who need that fun and that acknowledgment. You can't entirely take politics out of youth sports so you just try to make your own events as fair and fun as possible."

Mike Hamilton is the boys coach at small San Fernando Valley school Buckley and he sees Pollon's pure heart for sports. "Jack is loyal to those that are good for kids. He's seen so much hoop in his life and is like an encyclopedia of knowledge.

“But he takes the time to share with any young player that comes up and asks for feedback. If you ask him a question, be ready for straight shot answers because Jack knows the truth is more important than BS-ing people.

“Jack is that guy you can call at the last minute to help find refs for your event, a guy who will come out to write about a small school when nobody else cares about you. Because that's in his nature to celebrate all kids. He's walked in a ‘kid from a small school's’ path."

What would J-Pollon have done if not choosing a career in sports writing/promoting?

"I might've enjoyed being a PE teacher, athletic director, maybe a sports agent. But I have no regrets. Being in a profession with great people like fellow sports writer Frank Burlison and quality associates like Ryan Silver bring out your best.

“You have to keep your standards high and always seek accountability within yourself. But this ride has been so enriching, I have no regrets, just decades of memories that only could've happened if I chose this life. I've been blessed."

Basketball in the LA area is lucky to have Jack being a part of its fiber because "Jack knows Jack", unlike many that live vicariously through others, trying to make a name for themselves. Not all people in youth sports have that good intention for a kid but you can count on Jack.

As the recent NCAA scandals have shown, there exists many bottom feeding people in youth sports that "Don't know Jack S#&#”, because they don't have good intentions like a Jack Pollon.

Why'd I seek out Jack, why is it important to tell his story?

At the end of his career there won't be gold and riches that he could've pursued, writers don't make that much. But he will have gained a long list of meaningful interactions and memories, despite putting up with some occasional complaints.

Jack says he's up for staying in the game another 20 years if he can because the game has made him a better person. He's tried to pay the sport back by being loyal to it and telling its story in a meaningful way.