Team of Destiny

From the hearts and minds of champions, Thurl Bailey invites you to learn the secret to how a special group of individuals led by a dreamer, were serendipitously brought together to achieve greatness by winning the coveted 1983 NCAA Basketball Championship against all odds…and how you and your team can choose to have that championship mindset.

Read an excerpt from Team of Destiny
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZnlG39UCsY&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=CBS

Team of Destiny

How the NC State of Wolfpack Won the 1983 NCAA Title and How You and Your Team Can Choose to Be Champions

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Stephen Fisher

“Winning the NCAA National Championship in the manner the 1983 NC State team did lives on as a testament to a true TEAM who dared to dream the impossible dream, believed in and loved one another and cared only about team success. Hearing the players’ and coaches’ perspectives pulls back the curtain, provides great insight and allows us to relive the magical moments. This is a must read for every basketball fan, coach, player, mother and father.” Stephen Fisher - former head coach at San Diego State and University of Michigan, national champions in 1989, and assistant coach of the NBA Sacramento Kings

 
 

Mike Krzyzewski

“Thurl Bailey was a terrific player and with the help of his 1983 NC State teammates, he’s written a moving book about resiliency and belief. While its backdrop is basketball, this is really a book about becoming champions in life.” Mike Krzyzewski - Duke University and United States Senior National Team Coach (2005-16)

 
 

Quin Snyder

As a young man I watched and felt the magic that the Wolfpack conjured and captured on their way to a National Championship. As a college player at Duke, in the 1980s, we all knew the magnitude of what that 1982 NC State team accomplished. However, the most enduring part of that achievement was the connectivity they demonstrated. When you watched them play, you felt them play. In the past few years, I have had the pleasure of getting to know Thurl and I feel blessed to call him my friend. I have had the opportunity to witness the conviction and grace with which he carries himself every day. Reading his book I came to understand more fully how the Wolfpack's improbable journey came to pass. I have been in the fox hole with Thurl but I am envious I did not have a chance to be his teammate. “Teammates” is the word that sheds light on what that group accomplished. His is a story that sheds light on what that relationship between a group of people truly means and Thurl Bailey is a person that we all wish we could call our teammate. Quin Snyder - Head Coach, Utah Jazz

 
 

Jim Nantz

“I sat in the stands that fateful night in Albuquerque, April 4th, 1983, cheering lustily for my alma mater, the University of Houston. That night our Cougar hearts were broken by a destiny bound bunch of believers from North Carolina State. Little did I know that one of the star players for the Wolfpack would soon become one of my favorite athletes - and friends - I’ve ever known - Thurl Bailey. Thurl has always been a glue guy, a team builder, a leader. His life is one worth emulating and examining - an immensely talented sportsman, musician, business man, husband, father, and friend. No one is more qualified to lead us through the full story of the Cinderella Wolfpack than Thurl. You’ll learn some life lessons along the way, and enjoy every step of the journey, just as Thurl Bailey has every day on this planet.” Jim Nantz - CBS Sports

 
 

Craig Bolerjack

I so remember the April 11th,1983 cover of Sports Illustrated. It read “Miracle Workers”. And highlighting that page was the broad smile of Big “T” Thurl Bailey, telling the world North Carolina State were NCAA Champions. The beauty of March Madness allows every team to dream the dream, and the Wolfpack, led by the iconic Jim Valvano lived that Cinderella dream to the fullest. Thurl, my broadcast partner with the Utah Jazz, has shared with me many exciting tales during our travels, and now you get to enjoy those same amazing, insider stories. “T”- will walk you through the Wolfpacks exciting journey from Corvallis all the way to Albuquerque. It’s a story of trust, sacrifice and friendship. Enjoy the ride with Bailey, Whittenburg, Charles and the great Jimmy V! Craig Bolerjack - TV Sportscaster, Utah Jazz

 
 

Stephen M. R. Covey

“Thurl Bailey is a champion and a tremendous leader. This wonderful book not only tells the incredible story of North Carolina State’s 1983 NCAA Championship, and gratefully acknowledges Thurl’s strong relationships with the ‘pack’ who made it all possible. This is real leadership. Thurl didn’t just win a basketball championship—he won the wisdom and insight that comes from struggling, scraping and working for a desired goal and then achieving it. Read it, learn from it, and then apply these sound principles to your own life!” Stephen M. R. Covey - The New York Times & #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Speed of Trust

 
 

Stephen Fisher

“Winning the NCAA National Championship in the manner the 1983 NC State team did lives on as a testament to a true TEAM who dared to dream the impossible dream, believed in and loved one another and cared only about team success. Hearing the players’ and coaches’ perspectives pulls back the curtain, provides great insight and allows us to relive the magical moments. This is a must read for every basketball fan, coach, player, mother and father.” Stephen Fisher - former head coach at San Diego State and University of Michigan, national champions in 1989, and assistant coach of the NBA Sacramento Kings

 
 

Mike Krzyzewski

“Thurl Bailey was a terrific player and with the help of his 1983 NC State teammates, he’s written a moving book about resiliency and belief. While its backdrop is basketball, this is really a book about becoming champions in life.” Mike Krzyzewski - Duke University and United States Senior National Team Coach (2005-16)

 
 

Quin Snyder

As a young man I watched and felt the magic that the Wolfpack conjured and captured on their way to a National Championship. As a college player at Duke, in the 1980s, we all knew the magnitude of what that 1982 NC State team accomplished. However, the most enduring part of that achievement was the connectivity they demonstrated. When you watched them play, you felt them play. In the past few years, I have had the pleasure of getting to know Thurl and I feel blessed to call him my friend. I have had the opportunity to witness the conviction and grace with which he carries himself every day. Reading his book I came to understand more fully how the Wolfpack's improbable journey came to pass. I have been in the fox hole with Thurl but I am envious I did not have a chance to be his teammate. “Teammates” is the word that sheds light on what that group accomplished. His is a story that sheds light on what that relationship between a group of people truly means and Thurl Bailey is a person that we all wish we could call our teammate. Quin Snyder - Head Coach, Utah Jazz

 
 

Jim Nantz

“I sat in the stands that fateful night in Albuquerque, April 4th, 1983, cheering lustily for my alma mater, the University of Houston. That night our Cougar hearts were broken by a destiny bound bunch of believers from North Carolina State. Little did I know that one of the star players for the Wolfpack would soon become one of my favorite athletes - and friends - I’ve ever known - Thurl Bailey. Thurl has always been a glue guy, a team builder, a leader. His life is one worth emulating and examining - an immensely talented sportsman, musician, business man, husband, father, and friend. No one is more qualified to lead us through the full story of the Cinderella Wolfpack than Thurl. You’ll learn some life lessons along the way, and enjoy every step of the journey, just as Thurl Bailey has every day on this planet.” Jim Nantz - CBS Sports

 
 

Craig Bolerjack

I so remember the April 11th,1983 cover of Sports Illustrated. It read “Miracle Workers”. And highlighting that page was the broad smile of Big “T” Thurl Bailey, telling the world North Carolina State were NCAA Champions. The beauty of March Madness allows every team to dream the dream, and the Wolfpack, led by the iconic Jim Valvano lived that Cinderella dream to the fullest. Thurl, my broadcast partner with the Utah Jazz, has shared with me many exciting tales during our travels, and now you get to enjoy those same amazing, insider stories. “T”- will walk you through the Wolfpacks exciting journey from Corvallis all the way to Albuquerque. It’s a story of trust, sacrifice and friendship. Enjoy the ride with Bailey, Whittenburg, Charles and the great Jimmy V! Craig Bolerjack - TV Sportscaster, Utah Jazz

 
 

Stephen M. R. Covey

“Thurl Bailey is a champion and a tremendous leader. This wonderful book not only tells the incredible story of North Carolina State’s 1983 NCAA Championship, and gratefully acknowledges Thurl’s strong relationships with the ‘pack’ who made it all possible. This is real leadership. Thurl didn’t just win a basketball championship—he won the wisdom and insight that comes from struggling, scraping and working for a desired goal and then achieving it. Read it, learn from it, and then apply these sound principles to your own life!” Stephen M. R. Covey - The New York Times & #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Speed of Trust

Thurl Bailey

The Legend

Thurl Bailey is a former professional basketball player who spent 12 years in the N.B.A with the Utah Jazz, and Minnesota Timberwolves, Euro League with Panionios in Greece and 3 years in Italy with Polti Cantu and Olympia Milano.

He won the N.B.A.’s prestigious J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for outstanding community service for the 1988-’89 season. Currently, Thurl leads a busy life as an international corporate and youth speaker. He is the host of the popular Thurl Talk podcast, an actor, singer/songwriter and works as a TV broadcast analysts for the Utah Jazz and AT&T SportsNet.

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