My first dealing with Gonzo at SHU started with the 2 hour interview that I referenced in the other thread. What I didn't say was what happened.
The initial interview was slated for 1 hour. It was the first time I ever did anything like that and the first time I ever used a recording device. It was also the first time I was in the coaches offices.
Gonzo took me to the conference room and as I sat down I took out my notebook and recorder. Then I looked at Bobby and he too took out a notebook. I started to think why was he taking out a notebook? I soon found out. Gonzo started to talk, and talk and talk. For one straight hour. I basically never said a word and obviously never asked a question. The interview was nothing but a monologue where whatever Bobby wanted to address he did. Often looking at his notes.
After the hour was complete Bobby said "how was it and I hope you got what you wanted."
I looked at him partially in amusement and partially in bewilderment and said Bobby I never got to ask you a single question.
To my surprise Gonzo said OK let's do this again and you can ask me anything you want. Just not today as I have other things I have to do.
I figured I was being blown off but Gonzo said he would contact me the following week and to my surprise he did.
The following Wednesday we had another 1 hour meeting, all recorded and this time Gonzo let me ask all the question. His answers to say the least were colorful and his language coarse, but he didn't shy away from any subject. Although of course some things I could not print.
That's how my initial dealing with Gonzo took place. It was wild, time consuming and a real eye opener for me. Think of a Bobby G unfiltered who trusted me to smooth out the edges of the interview and put him in the best light possible.
The result was a 7 part interview posted here that probably took me over 20 hours to write. Understandable when editing was of primary importance.
That said Gonzo did what few if any coaches would ever do and that as much as anything started the first Trove step on the path we are now at.
The initial interview was slated for 1 hour. It was the first time I ever did anything like that and the first time I ever used a recording device. It was also the first time I was in the coaches offices.
Gonzo took me to the conference room and as I sat down I took out my notebook and recorder. Then I looked at Bobby and he too took out a notebook. I started to think why was he taking out a notebook? I soon found out. Gonzo started to talk, and talk and talk. For one straight hour. I basically never said a word and obviously never asked a question. The interview was nothing but a monologue where whatever Bobby wanted to address he did. Often looking at his notes.
After the hour was complete Bobby said "how was it and I hope you got what you wanted."
I looked at him partially in amusement and partially in bewilderment and said Bobby I never got to ask you a single question.
To my surprise Gonzo said OK let's do this again and you can ask me anything you want. Just not today as I have other things I have to do.
I figured I was being blown off but Gonzo said he would contact me the following week and to my surprise he did.
The following Wednesday we had another 1 hour meeting, all recorded and this time Gonzo let me ask all the question. His answers to say the least were colorful and his language coarse, but he didn't shy away from any subject. Although of course some things I could not print.
That's how my initial dealing with Gonzo took place. It was wild, time consuming and a real eye opener for me. Think of a Bobby G unfiltered who trusted me to smooth out the edges of the interview and put him in the best light possible.
The result was a 7 part interview posted here that probably took me over 20 hours to write. Understandable when editing was of primary importance.
That said Gonzo did what few if any coaches would ever do and that as much as anything started the first Trove step on the path we are now at.
