So, I had the pleasure to hang out with him for quite a while today. I was asked to take a few publicity photos of him, for his dad, Gary Hall Sr. and Rowdy Gaines.
I was very pleasantly surprised, Jr. is a very nice and very personable guy. I thought perhaps he'd have a hot shot attitude... Not even close.
As I was asking him to make couple poses for the camera, for the publicity, he and he did... and we chuckled about them, he made a comment something to the effect of, about I dunno why people take some of that so negatively, and think I'm a total jerk :(
He seemed pretty genuinely bummed out.
I was thinking how he is always being asked to pose and do publicity things, and do some showing off or what not, then it turns around and ends up giving him a bad rep.
Later on introduced him to a massage therapist friend of mine who works on a lot of pro athletes, to work on him and they can compare notes, and Gary's first response was, oh, that would be so nice but, aren't there people here that need it a lot more then I do, they'll say, what does he need *that for*.... he was all embarrassed, and rather humble about it.
He's the kind of a guy that wouldn't squish a bug! I mean literally.
As we were sitting and chatting, a June bug landed, he reached for it, and I reacted, oh, no, don't hurt it!
Before he had a chance to respond, I realized that he proceeded to check it out and started petting it with one finger, saying hi little guy...
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Former Member
I will have the meet photos on line probably come Tuesday...
I have my hands in so many things that I just can't get to it all... I wish I could!
I introduced Gary Hall Sr. and Jr. to Bill Volkening. Gary Hall Senior had some ideas he wanted to share with him. I'm hoping good things will come out of that.
Both, Sr. and Jr. were wonderful today to give little personal meet and greet to a number of USMS VIP's, and with public. Patiently hanging around the Race Club booth, giving autographs, taking photos and chatting with people.
Gary Jr. broke a masters world record in 50 fly today, and was all tickled pink, if I heard him right this was his first individual world record, not just masters, but overall. I gather he has one in relays in USA swimming, but not an individual.
PS. Mike Heather never did go talk to him or meet him... His wife, Julie Heather, our (SPMA) extraordinary registrar did meet Gary Jr., and had him autograph his application for a world record.
The only thing is.... I couldn't decide on is who was cuter or nicer, Gary Hall Jr. or Gary Hall Sr. ;) :p :D
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Former Member
I will have the meet photos on line probably come Tuesday...
I have my hands in so many things that I just can't get to it all... I wish I could!
I introduced Gary Hall Sr. and Jr. to Bill Volkening. Gary Hall Senior had some ideas he wanted to share with him. I'm hoping good things will come out of that.
Both, Sr. and Jr. were wonderful today to give little personal meet and greet to a number of USMS VIP's, and with public. Patiently hanging around the Race Club booth, giving autographs, taking photos and chatting with people.
Gary Jr. broke a masters world record in 50 fly today, and was all tickled pink, if I heard him right this was his first individual world record, not just masters, but overall. I gather he has one in relays in USA swimming, but not an individual.
PS. Mike Heather never did go talk to him or meet him... His wife, Julie Heather, our (SPMA) extraordinary registrar did meet Gary Jr., and had him autograph his application for a world record.
The only thing is.... I couldn't decide on is who was cuter or nicer, Gary Hall Jr. or Gary Hall Sr. ;) :p :D