Breckenridge Texan

The Breckenridge Elks Lodge donated $3,000 from a National Elks Foundation grant to help bring motivational speaker Damon West to Breckenridge tonight, Sept. 24.

West, a former college football player and convicted criminal who became a motivational speaker, will give two presentations in Breckenridge:

1. A presentation for the general public tonight, Sunday, Sept. 24, at 6 p.m. at Bailey Auditorium; the speech will be free and open to the public.
2. A presentation for Breckenridge junior high and high school students at 8:15 a.m. Monday, Sept. 25.

West was a quarterback for the University of North Texas when he experienced a career-ending injury. He went on to work in politics as a fundraiser and then trained as a stockbroker. Along the way, he became addicted to drugs, including cocaine and methamphetamines. In May 2009, West was convicted of a series of robberies in North Texas and sentenced to 65 years in prison. After seven and a half years, he was released on parole. According to an article in the Austin American-Statesman, he’ll be on parole for the rest of his life.

Now, he speaks all over the world about his life and the changes he’s made. He’s written several books, including “The Change Agent,” “The Coffee Bean” and “The Locker Room.” For more information, visit his website, DamonWest.org.

Damon West will give a presentation at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, in Bailey Auditorium. The program will be free and open to the public. (Courtesy Photo)

Cutline, top photo: Jennifer Jensen, president of the Breckenridge Elks Lodge, presenta a check to Allison Bassler, who has organized the effort to bring speaker Damon West to Breckenridge. On hand for the donation were Cindy James, Lynda Justus, Allison Bassler, Jennifer Jensen, Wayne Justus, Pat Speake, Bill Flournoy, Melynda Flournoy, Diana Yanke, Donna Rosignol, Carl Rosignol, Ken Yanke, Roy James and Gayle Yarbrough. (Photo courtesy of the Breckenridge Elks Lodge)