Ep. 3 Connor Checketts & David Checketts | RVVL: Like A Rock

Welcome to **Like a Rock**, hosted by Connor Checketts

In this episode, Connor sits down with his grandfather, **Dave Checketts** — one of the most influential sports executives of his generation and a man whose career has intersected with some of the biggest moments, teams, and names in American sports.

From becoming the youngest chief executive in NBA history as President and General Manager of the Utah Jazz, to leading Madison Square Garden and overseeing the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, Dave built a remarkable career in professional sports. He later returned home to Utah and founded Real Salt Lake, helping bring Major League Soccer to the state and eventually seeing the club capture the 2009 MLS Cup.

But this conversation goes beyond sports.

In 1998, while leading Madison Square Garden, Dave helped bring President Gordon B. Hinckley to the world's most famous arena, where more than 20,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered — the largest gathering of Saints in New York City to that point.

Years later, Dave and his wife Deb stepped away from the world of professional sports and business to serve as mission leaders in the England London Mission.

Through decades of leadership, success, pressure, and change, Dave has remained anchored by two things: **his faith and his family.**

And for Connor, this conversation is especially personal — because Dave Checketts isn't just his guest. He's his grandpa.

This is **Like a Rock**.

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your hosts, david butler & stephan taeger