Don Franken, '78 BA

ASU expanded my world. It helped me grow as a person and give me the confidence to move forward in my career. I learned both career skills with five different majors at ASU; business, journalism, humanities, English and finally, English Education. I graduated with a degree in Secondary Education with a major in Biology. I competed on the cross country and track & field teams at ASU. Being a member of the 1977 NCAA Championship track team is something I celebrate in incredible 10 year reunions highlighted by a private box together at an ASU football game. These events organized by our hard working and very organized track & field team manager Greg Harney. English classes by Alice Martin and Lynn Nelson sparked my love of learning and were life changing. Going out every night to the Dash Inn after workouts with my track and field teammates and attending track team parties with the women's gymnastics team were great memories. Going to see Pink Floyd, as a Sun Devil frosh with my date Coralee Harris was wonderful. See my ASU track teammates sneaking in from the locker room area in the stadium was "classic." Talking with our track coach Senon "Baldy" Castillo about his car dealerships, his Indian Jewelry business in addition to talking track were invaluable for me learning about business. Staying in touch with my Sun Devil teammates and having them as my business and my personal support team to this day has been so important to my career. Learning to never quit in school (touch first semester having to drop accounting) but then doing better each semester and never quitting after many injuries in cross country as well as track helped teach me the will to persevere during difficult times and to develop the tenacity to success in my career. The social skills I developed living in Palos Verdes West, in my classes, on dates, on the track team, were very important for me. All helped me believe in myself, to never believe anyone who said I couldn't do something. I learned self discipline and toughness but also developed more empathy at ASU. I traveled and saw new places. I started a sports celebrity talent agency, World Class Sports, in 1982 that has since placed over 5000 athletes in commercial endorsements, appearances, speaking engagements, and commercials. I have organized over 60 sports and entertainment events. I have done PR for Olympic campaigns, national sponsorships, and even headed up for Johnson & Johnson the four year U.S. PR launch of Splenda. I have produced four dramatic feature movies and also three documentaries. I have sold major sponsorships in sports, music, and film. I have produced a movie in Mexico City called The Kid: Chamaco starring Martin Sheen and many award winning Mexico actors. I played a boxing announcer in the film. I organized the Weltclasse Zurich Inspiration Games, televised by NBC. This was the first track & field meet held at the new Mt. Sac Stadium. I have been to nine summer Olympic Games. I have worked marketing athletes including Evel Knievel, Jerry Rice, Jackie Joyner Kersee, Mary Lou Retton, Shannon Miller, Nolan Ryun, George Foreman, Kurt Warner, Stever Kerr, Mary Decker Slaney, Greg Louganis, Marion Jones, Steve Young, Joe Montana, Wilma Rudolph, Ted Williams, Ryan Crouser, Evelyn Ashford, Billy Mills, John Madden, Kenny Smith, Emmitt Smith, Ann Myers, and more. I loved Tempe, Arizona, loved hiking in the Superstition Mountains, enjoyed going rafting down the Salt & Verde Rivers with the pretty coeds from Palos Verdes West. Loved going to Pinnacle Peaks, loved ushering at ASU football games, loved going to great concerts at Faline Fields, Sun Devil Stadium, the Academy Center, Gammage Center, and more. Liked Boman's Deli, Pizzafaros, The Lunt Avenue Marble Club, dancing atop empty casks at Uncle Albert's, going dancing at The Library, going to Ninth & Ash, going to Checkbox, going on a date to Asia House, going to the Valley Art for Indie and foreign movies, going to the Co-OP for healthy products, shopping at Buffalo Exchange, running the steep, treacherous trails of South Mountain, running up Camelback Mountain, hiking up to the top, to the A in A Hill, swimming and sunbathing at the ASU pool and at the house we rented near campus, throwing our own pool parties at the house, and so much more!