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

By Tim Derk

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.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1595340254
• ISBN13: 9781595340252
• Release Date: September 2006
• Publisher: Trinity University Press
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.6" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

The Coyote, unmasked.

This was a very quick read, and goes into something of the history of the person behind the Spurs Coyote, Tim Derk. He lived a double life, with a secret identity, for two decades until he suffered a stroke. As the Coyote, he performed feats of athleticism that were amazing, all the time showing the humor for which he was known. Only a few people knew his true identity until shortly after his stroke on Feb 13, 2004. The book is a quick read, easily completed in a single night and has several tales of the misadventures of the Coyote, and its actor. It is written very much as if the author was speaking to you, however it is somewhat disjointed jumping around from time to time, inside a chapter. The seven chapters are relative focused, each one detailing aspects of Tim'sis life. From the inception of the Coyote, to a number of injuries, to his hey-day activities, to the stroke, then to rehab, and finally to recovery, though that is obviously an ongoing issue. The book is inspiring, showing how much a person can accomplish if he puts his mind to it. Considering that Tim's stroke is central to the book, it still remains a relatively enjoyable read. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in mascots, and specifically to anyone who may be facing a tough time. It is also a must for any fan of the Spurs Coyote.

Profound, But Enjoyable

The reading is quick paced and engaging. One minute you are laughing, the next you are saying "WoW", or "Mmmmm" This book makes profound thinking easy to read!

A life well lived, indeed

A fascinating read and a great look at the king of NBA mascots. Whether hanging from the ceiling or making up hilarious bits, Tim truly set the bar for other mascots and athletic entertainers to follow.