Profile of Determination

Never compromise your dreams

No 108 09262025

Because many people read my postings for the first time, I usually repeat my family history in the Indian trading business since it is foundational to who I am and what I have done during much of my 80+ years. When I write about people, I make an exception because they are the focus of the posting.

Determination is the quality of being firmly committed to achieving a goal, despite obstacles, difficulties, or setbacks. It combines resolve, persistence, and purposeful decision-making. This sums up the life of our youngest son, Chris, as he began his journey as a student athlete.

He learned to ski when he was four years old and became an excellent skier. We didn’t allow him to use ski poles until he was six, and he learned to utilize his low center of gravity and ski with anyone on any run. Each winter, we skied at Sun Valley, Aspen, and Purgatory, and skiing didn’t get better than that. He became a “nickel-a-run” skier. We envisioned a great skiing life for him

When he was eight, he used to accompany me around the NBA (Navajo Basketball Association) and shoot baskets during times-out. Despite the ball being oversized for him, he loved basketball. Then, he discovered the NBA (National Basketball Association) on TV. He became obsessed with watching ball-handling moves and then going into his yard to practice. In the fifth grade, he announced during a class presentation that he would play college basketball. He was about 5’2” and ridiculed by his teacher and classmates, especially his teacher. That created his resolve to become a good basketball player despite his lack of size and the diminishing opportunities for success.

Diminishing odds of basketball success in the United States

Age and Level Participation Levels Odds of Success

Youth - Millions

Middle School - Tens of thousands

High School Varsity - 540,000

NCAA - 18,000 6-7%

NBA - 450 1-2%

Basketball maintains a broad appeal for those who peak after their participation level. Today, 19.3 million men and 5.6 million women continue with basketball in their lives. I played until my 65^th birthday.

Chris maintained his resolve through high school (Las Vegas, Nevada). His mom and I had divorced. I committed to attending his home games for his senior year, and it was a 16-hour round trip, which I did in a 24-hour period. Fortunately, my years of driving on the reservation had conditioned me for long hours of driving.

In high school, he didn’t pursue Division 1 (D1) college possibilities. He resolved to first play Junior College so that he could develop his game for DI. He accepted an offer to play at Waldorf Junior College in Iowa. When I drove him to school, I figured that he would become our resident expert on corn.

Just before Christmas, he called to say that he was dropping out of Waldorf. We were stunned. His reason was that there were two other point guards, and he couldn’t afford to lose any development time. He was confident of hooking up with a junior college in California. His mother was distraught. I maintained that he had a dream, and he was living it, not only in his heart, but also in his head. If he didn’t pursue his dream on his terms, there would always be lingering doubt in his mind. We all know people who “could have been”, “should have been” and “weren’t”. As a parent, I was obligated to see our kids live their dreams. There was always time to grow up.

He returned to Las Vegas and, with a high school friend, decided on a scouting trip to junior colleges in California. Their first stop was Victorville Junior College, and the basketball coach recognized him walking on campus. The result was that Chris received a basketball scholarship, and Danny received a football scholarship.

Two years later, he was offered a scholarship to New Mexico State. We were elated. He came to stay with us on his way to Las Cruces. We had some serious talks about his future at NMSU. He was dubious about his recruiting coach. “I don’t trust him.”, was his mantra. While he was with us, the national basketball bible, Street and Smith, listed him as unsigned. Our phone went crazy, and we received calls from college coaches for several days in a row. By this time, he was overdue to report to NMSU.

Chris signed with Northwestern State in Louisiana, and off he went to the South to play for a coach who had developed an All-Pro point guard for the NBA.

The following year, the NMSU coach of his concern was banned by the NCAA from college basketball.

His year at Northwestern State was burdened with injuries. He decided to transfer to Montana State-Northern to play with a high school friend and got another scholarship. That was a good experience, but he was nowhere close to graduation. He decided to transfer to UNLV, with no remaining DI eligibility. He had not only lived his dream of becoming a DI basketball player, but he had also proved to himself that he could do it.

At UNLV, he was encouraged to join the boxing team, despite never having boxed or wrestled, and became an All-American. Boxing and then Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) became his new passion. Following college started his MMA career and experienced newfound revenue. He has great stories to tell about fighting. One of my favorites was following a fight, bruised and battered, he stopped to see his mom. She lit into him. “Look at yourself. You are a mess. How much did you make for the fight?” When he told her of his five-figure payout, she stared at him and replied, “When do you fight again”?

Chris Kennedy (L) MMA bout

Following graduation from UNLV, Chris decided upon a career in Law Enforcement and joined Metro PD in Las Vegas. He has advanced to the rank of Homicide Detective Sergeant. Along the way, he obtained a master’s degree in Criminology and a Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu.

There is no question that sports played a major role in Chris’s life. Sports allowed him opportunities in his life to set goals, commit to them, and attain them. That transcended into the foundation of his character.

“My work ethic is from sports”.

Michael Jordan

“Never, never, never give up.”

Jim Valvano

Chris has a daughter, Erica, age 21, and with his wife, Trinh, they have a son, Clayton, age 10. He has a great family. He is hard-working, smart, generous, good-hearted, and humorous, all characteristics of a good person. He leads a good life for which he and his family are proud.

In 2025, he turned 50 years old. In his daily fitness workouts, he still spars and grapples with MMA fighters who are half his age

“Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out”.

“Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming”.

John Wooden

“Parents should realize that few people, and maybe no one, will find their children as enchanting as they do.”

Barbara Walters

It’s satisfying to say something nice about our kids. It is a selfish parental prerogative.

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