MOVERS and SHAKERS: Malcolm Huckaby, Financial Advisor and ESPN College Basketball Analyst from Bristol, Connecticut #EVERTOEXCEL Our Coverage Sponsored by Hallak Cleaners the Couture Cleaner
Malcolm Huckaby
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A note from the Editor: Though whomyouknow.com is about the Best of Manhattan, if you like us you understand that the best is often from Connecticut. (P.S. Hi Dr. Shafran and Dr. Wachtel in Bristol!)
Mick-KAY this one is for you! -Peach-SAY
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Malcolm Huckaby is a Financial Advisor and ESPN College Basketball Analyst from Bristol, Connecticut. He has two parents, Elbert and Elouise Huckaby, who recently celebrated their 50th Wedding anniversary. They instilled in him early on faith, family, and the importance of education coming first. Malcolm was blessed with ability that allowed him to excel on the playing fields and in school.
Malcolm went on to star at Bristol Central High School where he helped lead the Rams to their only State Championship (Class L - 1989). He was the MVP of the championship game and an All-State performer. Malcolm was also a excellent baseball player and was Drafted out of High School by the Houston Astros. He was awarded a full basketball scholarship to Boston College. Malcolm along with the guidance from his parents decided to attend college.
At Boston College, Malcolm helped to revitalize the basketball program. His senior year, he was a key member of the Eagles' team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament's “Elite Eight”, defeating Washington State, top-ranked North Carolina and Indiana along the way. Huckaby still ranks 14th on BC's career scoring list with 1,316 points. He ranks third on BC's career three-point field goals made list (199) and fourth on the school's career steals list (198). Three times he was selected as the team's Most Outstanding Defensive Player.
Following his collegiate career, Malcolm went on to play professionally for five years with the NBA's Miami Heat and in Italy and France. Malcolm sustained a career ending ankle injury in 2007. Malcolm realized the value of his Boston College education after his injury at the young age of 26 years old. So many former professional or college student athletes are not prepared to make a successful transition into the business world. Malcolm credits his parents, coaches and his Boston College experience with helping him make the transition.
In 2004, he was inducted into the Boston College Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame.
Malcolm has held roles as a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch, PCA Vice President in the Boston US TRUST Bank of America Private Wealth Management office and currently is a VP Financial Advisor with Capitol Securities Management. Malcolm brings 12 plus years of financial services experience to his clients and always puts their needs first.
Malcolm serves on the Board of Crossroads for Kids and is actively involved in several organizations geared towards helping youth, less fortunate individuals and families. Malcolm’s words to himself and others is "Nothing you have is because of luck or chance. It’s all due to GOD’S Grace and Favor, So count your blessings and try and make the world a better place." We are thrilled to present Malcolm Huckaby as our latest Mover and Shaker. Peachy Deegan interviewed Malcolm for Whom You Know.
Peachy Deegan: What is your first basketball memory?
Malcolm Huckaby: My First Basketball memory is probably around 7 or 8 years old and my Father Elbert Huckaby coached my biddy basketball team. He was positive with all of the kids and only had a couple of rules. In no particular order * Play hard * Shoot when you're open *. My father always told me don't be second best on or off the court.
What does the sport of basketball mean to you?
Again, my Dad and Mom had a huge impact on what basketball has meant to me. As a kid growing up, I wanted to and dreamed of playing in the NBA and at a Big East Basketball school. My parents stressed for me to use basketball to get a great education. Now I understand what they wanted. Basketball does not define me but certainly has played a huge role in my life. It has opened so many doors and allowed me to make life long friends and meet some pretty cool people.
What do you love most about Bristol, Connecticut? [Disclosure: The Deegan family settled in Bristol, Connecticut on Middle Street in the 1870s after leaving Ireland. Maybe if they started ESPN then you would not be reading Whom You Know now...]
Bristol is home for me. I still love that it is a small city/town that at least when I was growing up, all of the families knew each other.
What attracted you to the best college in the world, Boston College?
Ha ha I guess you may have gone to BC? For me it was about playing at a Big East School. I recently called a game @ Syracuse and Interim Head coach Mike Hopkins and I laughed about story of my recruiting visit to BC. On my trip, BC was playing Syracuse and Dana Barros (BC) and Sherman Douglas (SU) were engaged in a epic old school Big East Battle. BC won and I was hooked/convinced I wanted to play for BC. Also Michael Adams another great BC guard who was in the NBA at the time, used to come and practice with me during the off season and during NBA all star break. His brother Joe Adams was one of my high school coaches at Bristol Central High School.
Please compare and contrast Connecticut and Massachusetts, and have you ever lived in New York?
Connecticut to me is a small- kinda country where as Massachusetts is like a smaller version of New York to me. Connecticut also has half of the state rooting for the Yankees and the other half Red Sox, sprinkled in with some Mets fans. In my household, my wife Pam who is from Massachusetts and also attended BC is a mass sport teams 100%. I am a Yankees, Cowboys, and Lakers fan. We do not watch Yankees vs Red Sox games in the same room; it's that intense.
We think going to BC was an infinitely better decision than to go professional from high school; are you happy with this choice you made?
I'm truly blessed to have parents that understood what was best for me long term. I had a career-ending injury at the age of 26. My parents always knew that basketball or baseball would eventually end. They were focused on me getting a quality education. I can’t say enough about how thankful I am to have them.
You and Billy Curley can accept some of the credit for us wanting to go to Boston College-please tell our readers what it was like on the road to the Elite Eight. (We have to dig out our copy of "Take That, Tar Heels!" Sports Illustrated for you guys to sign...)
So, is it good to be a Florida Gator?
I still have not watched our loss to Florida in the Elite 8 (1 game away from final 4) -It would be too painful but I'm proud of what we accomplished.
Do you have any game superstitions?
No, but I say my prayers before bed every night (as a promise I made to my mom when I left for BC).
We really liked Coach Jim O'Brien at BC when we interviewed him; what did you like about playing for him?
Everything. He really cared for us as people. It was difficult for him and us my freshman year. He lost his wife Mrs O'Brien and at the time they had 2 young daughters. They would be at a lot of our practices and at every game. We speak on a weekly basis and I always talk hoops and kids stuff with him. He has been one of my biggest supporters and mentors.
How do you try to make the world excel, as in Ever to Excel?
I just try and be a good person. My grandmother Annie Huckaby (who had a street named after her in New Haven, CT) before she passed away gave me a verse Psalm 37:3
If you were going to bet with Regis on the next Holy War, what would you bet and why?
I know this is boring but I don't bet.
What are your best memories of Boston College and do you have any stories you would like to share about your years in Chestnut Hill?
Some stories I definitely cannot share, but for me my memories are all about the life long friendships I have made while at BC.
Do you have any good Mark Noon stories for our Miss Porter's School alumnae readers that had him as a dorm parent?
Mark Noon is simply put one of the best human beings I know. My mom and dad rarely entrusted their children with anyone. Mark would take me and my older brother, Martin to basketball camp. One time I remember (I had to be 12) Mark stopping for a car that had a flat tire. He gave the person stopped a ride to I believe to a gas station to make a call for help (back then, nobody had cell phones).
Please tell us what it was like to play for the Miami Heat and your experience there.
Well I told you, I was a Laker fan growing up. Simply put it was always a dream to sign and play in the NBA. Hall of Fame coach Pat Riley was coaching the Heat. I'll never forget my first time being star struck at a birthday party he held for his wife and it was pretty much mandatory that the entire team show up. Michael Douglas, Andre Agassi, Sly Stallone etc. along with it seemed like rest of Hollywood also was in attendance. Of course I took no pictures. But none of those guys was close to 6 feet tall, yet seemed surreal to me that I was playing pool and conversing with them.
Unfortuanely after I had signed my ankle gave out on me. I was never healthy and my career ended. But I still remain friends with pretty much everyone I was in contact with. Like BC, the favorite part of experience is the people you meet. And of course fulfilling a childhood dream of lacing up for a NBA team is priceless.
Please tell us what it was like to play professional basketball in Italy and France.
Playing overseas was a life altering experience. I still stay in contact with teammates and friends from both countries. Learning 2 new languages after traveling to foreign countries was great. Life altering because I learned 2 different cultures, while also playing basketball in front of fans that were curious about my American culture.
What do you love about being a Financial Advisor?
I love helping people achieve whatever financial goals and objectives they want. Also like sports you meet and get a chance to interact with some great individuals and families.
What are the biggest mistakes people make in regards to personal finance and how should they avoid them?
Not being patient or realistic. We live in the instant gratification/information/success/whatever else you want to fill in after instant era. Take steady consistent progress over short term gratification. I always tell families or individuals you must take a balanced approach to investing and a balanced approach to life.
How did you get to be on-the-air with ESPN?
My mom would see all the ESPN guys at the food bag convenience store filling up with gas. She was on me about using my deep voice and knowledge basketball at ESPN, a place I could see from their condo right around the corner.
I networked with a few BC Alum that were at several media outlets and after starting off calling Radio Games for BC basketball I got a break/audition and did pretty well. Once I got my foot in the door I have never looked back.
Are you the only on-air talent with ESPN that is a Bristol native and if so don't you think they should give you your own show?
I don't know but you can start a petition for me.
How is your ankle today?
If I showed you my ankle you would not finish a meal. It's the size of a softball and arthritic. You've never seen an ankle like this.
What should everyone know about
It's a life altering organization for youth. Please go check out our website and short video of some of the current and past youth who have gone through the program in their own words they best describe what Crossroads for Kids is.
What do you love most about the Curley family?
They are just genuine, decent people. Bill Curley is a 3 am in the morning friend. I'll explain my definition of 3am in the morning friend: you have a a emergency (anything ) at 3 am, and you call him and say you need help and he comes ASAP no questions asked and asks for nothing in return . Every person is blessed when they have a friend like this. That's Bill Curley and his family.
What or who has had the most influence on your pursuit of excellence?
My faith and belief in God which was planted by my parents.
What are you proudest of and why?
Being able to pass my faith along to my kids.
What would you like to do professionally that you have not yet had the opportunity to do?
I probably would love to just walk without a limp or pain.
What honors and awards have you received in your profession?
Plenty of honors but the biggest honor and reward is the loyalty and continued business from clients. For financial Services it's really about your clients and entities that entrust you with their financial futures.
As from media - same but the biggest is to hear from viewers (other than your family or wife that always think you're great) that they enjoyed your broadcast.
What one word best describes you and why?
Blessed because I am alive and understand that everything I have is because of the Grace of GOD. Yes hard work is important and necessary, yes knowing the right people is necessary, but so much of what happens in our lives is out of our control.
What do you take your sense of identity from?
Faith, period. I have been blessed and thank God for all I have.
What is your favorite place to be in Manhattan? And Connecticut? And Boston?
I love calling Manhattan men's basketball games, Connecticut: Bristol is my home and home of ESPN. Does Chestnut Hill (Boston College) count toward Boston if yes BC!
What is your favorite shop in Manhattan? And Connecticut? And Boston?
I'm all online now but I love Nordstrom and in Boston I always love going to the New Balance factory store.
If you could hire anybody who would it be and why?
My mom because she is full of wisdom.
What is your favorite drink?
Coffee, then a Long Island ice tea.
What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you at a cocktail party?
Ugh again my mom may read this.
What is your favorite restaurant in Manhattan? And Connecticut? And Boston?
Ct is Frankie's and Boston is legal sea food Manhattan sadly I've only eaten in the hotel. So that's on to do list when I call games in Manhattan for ESPN.
What is your favorite Manhattan book or favorite character in Manhattan literature? And Connecticut? And Boston?
Sad but I only read John Grisham Books.
Who would you like to be for a day and why?
A fighter pilot or Usher
If you could have anything in Manhattan named after you what would it be and why? And Connecticut? And Boston?
I'd love to have any place that that helped youth find their way named after me in all three states.
What has been your best Manhattan athletic experience? And Connecticut? And Boston?
Ct was winning the High school state championship finishing my senior year undefeated and ranked #1 in New England and top 25 nationally. For Boston it would be scoring 34 against Georgetown in a double overtime win . For Manhattan it was calling for ESPN the Manhattan vs Iona basketball game.
What is your favorite thing to do in Manhattan that you can do nowhere else? And Connecticut? And Boston?
There is nothing I like better than hangin with my wife and kids. But in Manhattan I can call a Manhattan home basketball game. In Boston I can call BC men's basketball game or go to the garden. In CT it's got to be going to my parents (childhood home) and then ESPN.
If you could have dinner with any person living or passed, who would it be and why?
My grandparents. I wish I asked them more about their life; my parents and just had more conversations in general. Wealth of knowledge. My grandmother Annie Huckaby has a street named after her in New Haven, CT (Annie Huckaby drive). She was a long time educator and helped many families in her area; I'm truly blessed to have her bloodline.
What has been your best Manhattan art or music experience? And Connecticut? And Boston?
I have been to only one concert in CT back when I was in high school , in Manhattan I've yet to take in music or an art show but it's on my bucket list!
What do you personally do or what have you done to give back to the world?
Be a kind and giving person
What do you think is most underrated and overrated in Manhattan? And Connecticut? And Boston?
Underrated in Manhattan is Peachy Deegan; I think overrated all the congestion. Connecticut underrated is the potential for downtown Hartford and of course bringing back the Hartford whalers :) overrated nothing (that's my home state!) Boston most underrated is the Boston College campus; overrated is nothing (I have to work in Boston.)
Other than Movers and Shakers of course, what is your favorite Whom You Know column and what do you like about it?
I really enjoy soccer, so MLS Peachy!
What else should Whom You Know readers know about you? I am a lover of Bassett Hounds, I have a great wife and blessed to have great kids.
How would you like to be contacted by Whom You Know readers? Twitter @malcolm_huckaby or Facebook malcolm_huckaby or Instagram (I'm catching on to social media)
