Nick Nurse, former head coach of the NBA's Toronto Raptors, brought a lively energy to a June 20 Spring Convocation ceremony at York University, after accepting an honorary doctor of laws degree.
Graduands from the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) and the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS) heard from AMPD Dean Sarah Bay-Cheng that Nurse, in addition to his success in coaching basketball, is also a jazz musician and advocate for social justice. She highlighted his contributions to make music education accessible at York University through the Nick Nurse Foundation Summer Jazz and Groove Lab.
“Coach Nurse is undoubtedly one of the real visionaries of his sport and his communities,” said Bay-Cheng, “as someone who has consistently inspired those around him to excel on all his teams, and certainly here in Toronto at York University.”
Reflecting on his connection to the city and the Raptors, Nurse spoke about the decade he spent in Toronto and the relationships he built along the way.
He made a point to discuss the importance of creativity in teamwork, drawing a parallel between basketball and jazz and the idea that improv sparks success in both sport and music.
Nurse's analogy was inspired by legendary jazz musician Thelonious Monk, whose theme of improvisation resonated with him. He expressed how essential it has been for former Raptors players like Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet to have the freedom to express their talents on the court. “There needed to be the space and the willingness of the other four [on the court] to let the creativity just flow and shine,” he said.
As he recounted his journey to becoming an NBA head coach, Nurse emphasized the importance of perseverance and honing one's skills. His career spanned over 20 years and included coaching roles in England, Belgium and various minor leagues in the United States before finally joining the Raptors.
"Someday, that opportunity is going to come to you – something you're really dreaming about or passionate about, and you want to be ready for it,” he said, highlighting that success comes from preparation and being open to new experiences. “You want to because that's what builds the confidence to be able to go out there and execute.”
Nurse urged graduands to embrace nervousness, describing it as a sign of growth and opportunity.
He also underscored the importance of continuous learning and self-improvement. “I was going to say you should read 12 books a year, but I decided I'd cut everything down to six,” Nurse said, suggesting that graduands engage with six books, six movies and six live concerts each year as a way to enrich their lives.
Nurse concluded his speech with three notable quotes from musicians, with a message to embrace the future: he referenced Elvis Presley: “It's now or never;” Jim Morrison: “The time to hesitate is through;” and Frank Sinatra: “The best is yet to come.”
These sentiments reminded the Class of 2025 to take action on opportunities that come their way and not be deterred by hesitation. With determination, preparation and creativity, he said, they can navigate the challenges that lie ahead.