Like Father, Like Son

If pedigree is any indication, the Frisco RoughRiders baseball franchise is headed in the right direction. The Texas Rangers Double-A affiliate has promoted Scott Sonju to the prestigious role of president/general manager. If that name rings a wind chime in your vast noggin, it should. Scott's dad is Norm Sonju,...

By Patrick Williams

May 3, 2006

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If pedigree is any indication, the Frisco RoughRiders baseball franchise is headed in the right direction. The Texas Rangers Double-A affiliate has promoted Scott Sonju to the prestigious role of president/general manager. If that name rings a wind chime in your vast noggin, it should. Scott's dad is Norm Sonju, one of the founding fathers of the Dallas Mavericks.

Under Norm's guidance, the Mavs rapidly grew from an expansion outfit to a team that advanced to the NBA's Western Conference Finals and became what commish David Stern labeled the "model franchise." Norm and his Christian virtues would be appalled by the blaring rap music and stripper cheerleaders at American Airlines Center these days, but nonetheless he remains a Mavs fan. As for Scott, he'll take over for outgoing Riders prez Mike McCall after this season. He graduated from the renowned Kellogg School of Management, worked in the Mavs front office and helped run the New York Christian camp established in part by dad. In other words, yeah, you could do far worse than hitchin' your wagon to him. --Richie Whitt

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Patrick Williams is editor-in-chief of the Dallas Observer. Before joining the staff in July 1997, Patrick worked for the Southern Illinoisan, Amarillo Globe News and San Antonio Express-News. As editor-in-chief, he oversees the newsroom and guides the coverage of both the Dallas Observer’s printed publication and online website.

Contact: Patrick Williams