Dennis Dale Lindsey, a successful business man in the world of professional sports, is truly a role model for the students in Brazosport Independent School District. Dennis, the son of Dennis Earl and Carol Lindsey, along with his younger sister Christy, grew up in the Brazosport area. Dennis had a unique childhood, as his parents were also house parents to numerous children at the Brazoria County Youth Home as well as being foster parents to many more. From these experiences, Dennis learned the importance of working together – being a member of a team. These life lessons would serve him well in his future.
Attending various schools in Lake Jackson, Freeport and Clute, Dennis graduated from Brazoswood High School in 1987.
While in high school, Lindsey captained Brazoswood’s boys basketball team, leading them to a bi-district championship, and setting a school record for the most points scored in one season – 701 points!
Dennis, on an athletic scholarship, went on to play basketball for the Baylor Bears. Lindsey played guard on the Baylor basketball team for four seasons, teaming with future NBA players David Wesley and Michael Williams to lead the bears to the 1988 NCAA tournament.
It was during this time that Dennis Lindsey and his family faced an almost unthinkable tragedy; the loss of Carol Lindsey - his mother - in a terrible car accident – one that also placed his sister Christy in the hospital for some time. Dennis chose to come home for the rest of that semester to help his father and sister recover. It was during this very dark period that Dennis came to understand some things that would forever change his life:
"There are moments that become tangible as to who you are. It made an immature kid grow-up fast.”
Dennis went back to play basketball for Baylor, met his wife Becky and earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Baylor University in 1992 and went on to earn his Graduate Degree in Sports Management from the U.S. Sports Academy in 1994.
Dennis set out on a career path he hoped would lead him to a NCAA College Division 1 coaching position. Lindsey’s first official coaching job was as an assistant coach in basketball, football and baseball at southwest high in Fort Worth. From there, Lindsey traveled to Florida to become an assistant coach for Pensacola Junior College.
In 1996, Dennis chose to move back to Texas, accepting a position with the Houston rockets as a video coordinator and scout. This entry-level job was a complete change from Dennis’ coaching plan, but it did open the door for his professional career with the National Basketball Association – the NBA.
Lindsey spent 11 seasons with the Houston Rockets organization, serving as the team’s Video Coordinator/Scout, then Director of Basketball Development, Director of Player Personnel and then Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel.
In 2007, Lindsey was named Vice President and Assistant General Manager for the San Antonio Spurs. During his time with the spurs, the team compiled a 271-123 regular season record, the third-best in the NBA during that time. The Spurs advanced to the NBA playoffs all five seasons, winning three Southwest Division titles, twice finishing with the best record in the Western Conference, and reaching two Western Conference finals in 2008 and 2012.
In August of 2012, Dennis Lindsey accepted the position as the general manager of the Utah Jazz and moved his family from his beloved state of Texas to Salt Lake City.
Over the past three years, Lindsey has added support staff to the team’s basketball operations department and has implemented other sweeping changes.
Dennis and his wife, Becky, have four children, Jacob, Matthew, Meredith and Jessica Claire. Jacob, the oldest, has followed in his father’s footsteps, playing basketball for Baylor this year.
In an effort to honor and thank educators, Dennis and Becky have personally purchased and donated Jazz tickets to Salt Lake City area schools. During this past season, a total of 1,100 teachers and their families attended Jazz games as part of Lindsey’s Tickets for Teachers Program. Dennis also led the Jazz organization in hosting Jazz Fit Clinics - reaching more than 500 local students - donating 500 water bottles, 200 pedometers, 500 jazz sling bags and 160 basketballs to them. Dennis and his Jazz organization also partner with newspapers in education to support the Century Link All-Star Teacher Awards – a program that recognizes outstanding educators and supports local schools.
Mr. Lindsey has a bit of advice to share with all young athletes:
“… work hard, be honest and treat people the right way. There are opportunities out there that will present themselves if you are willing to put in the work and pay your dues. You can’t skip steps and expect to succeed. No matter what the level, take pride in what you do and do it to the best of your abilities.”
… Excellent advice for all of us, Mr. Lindsey and thank you for being such a wonderful role model for our students and our community.