Author | Keynote Speaker | Former Professional Basketball Player
Chad Varga was a high school All-American in Basketball who went on to star in the Big East Conference at the University of Pittsburgh. After college, Chad fulfilled his dream of playing professional basketball. Then, at 25 years old and at the peak of his career, Chad realized that his life had much more to offer than just dunking a basketball. Chad is CEO of The Chad Varga Company and has established a national reputation as a communication expert who has an undeniable ability to relate with all people. He has spoken to more than 4 million people worldwide and has been a featured guest on many of America’s television and radio networks.
Chad was named one of the top leaders in America by New York Times Best Selling Author Dr. John Maxwell and has also been nominated as one of the REAL Richest People In America for his work with students. With all of that said, Chad’s real story is about survival. Often abandoned and abused as a child, he was able to overcome what seemed to be insurmountable odds and now is inspiring countless others to do the same.
Chad is one of the most in-demand speakers today offering keynotes as an expert on "Resiliency." His unforgettable story has made him the preeminent authority on how to overcome change, adversity and seemingly insurmountable circumstances and bounce back stronger than ever before. His client list includes top organizations, entrepreneurs, athletes, students, and individuals with one thing in common: they understand that success in business is not just about reaching your goals and getting what you want.
There must be an intentional focus to handle set-backs and unforeseen adversity to end up wiser, stronger, and more focused than ever before. Chad knows first hand the power that attitude, persistence, and resolve play in your future success - especially when life doesn’t go as planned. So much so, that Chad’s most recent book is entitled: "BOUNCE: Down is Inevitable, Up is a Choice."
Basketball Highlights
High School: Detroit Catholic Central High School
Averaged 28.3 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 blocked shots per game
Scored 40 or more points seventeen times in his high school career
Named MVP of his team all four years in high school
Nominated to the McDonald's All-America team his senior year
Named 1st team all-league, all-catholic, all-district, all-region, all-state, as well as All-America by several different media publications
Nike Century Cage Camp Slam Dunk Champion
Named All-Tournament team at Prestigious Las Vegas Invitational
Played in the Michigan-Ohio all-star game
College:
Vincennes University (1993)
Averaged 19.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.
Named MVP of team
NJCAA Region 12 Division 1 MVP and All-Tournament Team
Named Junior College Division 1 All-American
College: University of Pittsburgh (1994-1997)
Finished his sophomore season as team’s 2nd leading scorer and rebounder in Big East Conference play after averaging 12.4 points and 7.7 rebounds a game prior to injuring his hand
Scored 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against National Runner-Up Syracuse Orangemen
Awarded Bell Atlantic’s prestigious Scholar Athlete Award.
Pittsburgh’s leading scorer and rebounder his Junior season in Big East play after averaging 14.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game
Named MVP of team in 1996 by Pittsburgh Golden Panthers Johnstown Chapter
Awarded the Dapper Dan Charities “True Grit Award” on April 5, 1997
Professional Basketball (1997-2000): National Basketball Association
Injured his hand prior to training camp with the Dallas Mavericks in 1997
European Professional Leagues: Gijon, Spain
Averaged 15 points and 8 rebounds a game
Named an All-Star his rookie season in Spain
Won Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star weekend
Voted player of the week four times
Finished rookie season as Gijon’s leader in scoring, rebounds, and steals
European Professional Leagues: Tenerife, Spain
Averaged 15.5 points and 7 rebounds a game
Named an All-Star for the second consecutive season
Voted player of the week three times
Led Tenerife in scoring and rebounding
“BOUNCE: Down is Inevitable, Up is a Choice”
We are all thrown down during the course of our lifetime. If it happens at a young age, it can seem incredibly unfair. Unfortunately, you and I cannot always control the circumstances of our lives. But we can control how we react. This is the choice no one on the planet can take from you-ever. No matter what happens to you, no matter how long it happens, you alone choose how you will respond.
The most successful in life choose to bounce. They understand that falling down is inevitable. Rising up is a choice. In this celebrated book, Chad Varga takes you on a raw and unforgettable journey from a traumatic childhood ruled by poverty, abuse and an alcoholic, drug-addicted parent to a professional basketball career and beyond. The journey does not end with the story as Chad then leads you back through the specific traits that ultimately allowed him to rise above all the pain and adversity to achieve his dreams.
The message is straightforward and compelling. Your dreams matter. You matter. And no matter how bad or impossible your circumstances are, it's never too late to rise above them and become the person you've dreamed of being. Bounce will show you how.