Moose Member,
NBA Retiree Manute Bol
Tells His Inspiring Story to Rapt School Assembly

March 7, 2005



Students listen intently to Bol’s story about overcoming obstacles, professionally and in life.

> Moose member Manute Bol has faced many obstacles in his life, but he believes nobody can take away anyone’s dreams. During a visit to Mooseheart School on March 7, Bol told the enthralled student body that they, too, can rise as far as they want to strive for.

“If you truly want to achieve your goals,” Bol said, “there’s nobody that can stop you.”

Bol recalled to the students how, when he arrived in the United States 25 years ago, observers were skeptical that the 7-7, 185-pound giant from war-torn Sudan could compete with players such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Patrick Ewing.

People may have laughed at his physical dimensions and lack of basketball background, but Bol said he just ignored the naysayers. He knew, he said, that “my heart was bigger than my body.”

Indeed, Bol spent nearly 11 seasons with four teams in the NBA, blocking 2,086 shots (setting a rookie record in that category) and scoring 1,599 points for his career. Since then, he’s contributed millions to help impoverished Sudanese.

Bol entertained the students with stories from his basketball career, including the time he chipped his front teeth on the rim when he first attempted a dunk.

It was evident Bol is not fully recovered from a horrific traffic accident last June 30, when he was thrown from a taxicab. He spent weeks in a coma and six months in the hospital, recovering from injuries which included a broken neck and shattered kneecap. Bol now relies on a cane--five feet long!--to walk.

“I'm walking now,” he said, “only because of the people who prayed for me.”

Bol retired in 1995; he joined the Moose at Chicopee Falls, MA Lodge 1849 last April. After hearing more about Mooseheart’s mission, Bol asked for an opportunity to come to Illinois to speak to the community’s youngsters about making the most of what they’re offered at the Child City--including full tuition for college if they earn it academically. Following his remarks, Bol and Chicopee Falls Lodge 1849 treated the Mooseheart basketball team to a surprise trip to the United Center in Chicago that night to see the Bulls beat the Milwaukee Bucks.

Bol also reminded the students how lucky they are to live in the United States—and attend Mooseheart.
“Here in America you have opportunity provided for you — all you have to do is go to school and work hard,” Bol said, stressing to the students that they should take advantage of “all the opportunities the Moose have given to you.”


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