Hi Mom, Send Sheep: My Life as the Coyote and After

by Tim Derk, David Robinson (Foreword)

At the age of 47, Tim Derk’s career as mascot for the San Antonio Spurs was soaring as the team headed toward their second NBA Championship. That career ended abruptly when he suffered a massive stroke. Despite remarkable success in regaining speech and movement, Derk knew there was no going back. Hi Mom, Send Sheep! is his fond look at his years as the Coyote. Beginning with his recruitment from a community theater stage, through the early days when he carried his improvised costume to the arena in garbage bags, to the heady championship years, Derk paints a vivid picture of his life in the NBA. Wry anecdotes of Coyote misadventures are interspersed with vivid reminiscences of the owners, managers, and players who helped build one of the great sports franchises. Part sports memoir, part inspirational tale, Hi Mom, Send Sheep! is above all the well-told story of a life adventurously lived.

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 18, 2006

Reviews

[Nina Lemieux · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rate this book a five as a memoire and decline to rate it on its overall literary merit because that is not what matters if you are choosing to pick up this book. I received this book as a gift from my father's coworker in high school, read it out of strange sense of obligation, and loved it. Tim Derk's stories are hilarious, warm-hearted, and well-told. For a book about being a furry mascot, it was surprisingly human. It is a quick read for a day out by the pool or for a day when you feel like you need to cheer for someone because it is hard not read this book and not want the very best for Tim Derk!

[Swaps55 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every good Spurs fan knows about the Coyote, and knows that for this team he is far more than a mascot. This book is about Tim Derk, who brought him to life for years before a stroke forced him to retire. For the first time we hear the voice of the anonymous man behind the mask, and it's quirky, heartfelt and entertaining.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look at the world of a professional sports team mascot and the rigors required. Derk writes of his personal experiences with the San Antonio Spurs basket ball team. An excellent read. My eight year old grand-nephew read it with me for school.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you love professional mascots,
and you love inspiring stories,
you should read this book!