How a Sask. family met NBA star Michael Jordan

A Regina father describes an unforgettable moment that happened in 2015.

When his then-teenaged son got a chance to meet NBA icon, Michael Jordan.

Connor Schulz was 17 when he got to meet the international superstar through the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Make-A-Wish helps grant the requests of children with critical illnesses.

Connor was diagnosed with stage two Hodgkin’s lymphoma when he was 14.

His father Roland says they heard about the opportunity through Regina’s Allan Blair Cancer Centre.

“So we thought, well, we’ll apply and see,” Roland said.

Connor was a big fan of basketball and cars at the time. At first when making a request to the foundation he wanted to get his 1976 blue Chevy truck restored. But then, when he sat down and thought about it, he decided to dream even bigger.

So he decided to put in a request for Michael Jordan.

“(Connor) was feeling a lot better by (the time they got to meet Jordan),” said Roland.
“So it worked out good that way.”

In March 2015, the Schulz family was flown to Charlotte, N.C. where they met Jordan at a Ritz Carlton Hotel along with six or seven other families.

According to Roland, the whole thing felt surreal. “I think my mouth was hanging open,” he said.

In a large banquet room, the hall of famer took time to sit down and talk to each family at a table.

“It was fantastic. He just sat down just like a normal guy and talked to us. And he’s very open and joking and asking how we’re doing.”

Jordan and Connor talked about their shared love of cars. The NBA legend mentioned owning three Ferraris: a black one, a red one and a white one — the colours of the Chicago Bulls who Jordan played for for most of his career.

They also talked about music and who Jordan’s own favourite NBA player was at the time. He said it was star point guard Russell Westbrook.

At the end of the hotel meet-up all the kids received a swag bag full of Nike gear.

“And then that wasn’t the end of it,” Roland said.

“The next day, we were invited to an NBA basketball game because the (Charlotte Hornets) were playing in town.”
Jordan is the owner and chairman of the Hornets.

Roland said they got to hang around courtside before the game where they ran into another NBA legend: Patrick Ewing who was an assistant coach with the Hornets at the time.

“And then after that he took us up to the VIP room,” Roland said. “A big room and he had a cake for the kids.”

They watched the game from the VIP room and were greeted by Michael Jordan’s brother as well as cheerleaders. Though Jordan himself had to leave when the game started.

Connor is 25 years old and his cancer has been in remission for several years at this point.

Now a grown-man, he’s working hard to become a realtor. He and his family will always be able to look back on this special moment.