Photos by Hillary Ehlen
A photo recap of the FMWF Chamber of Commerce’s Eighth “Voices of Vision” speaker Shaquille O’Neal.


It was quite a turnout to hear 15-time NBA All-Star Shaquille O’Neal speak at the Sanford Health Athletic Complex on the campus of North Dakota State University. We’re guessing he felt right at home in a basketball arena.

Shaq was the FMWF Chamber of Commerce’s eighth “Voices of Vision” speaker and the second consecutive with that last name. Last year, they hosted Robert O’Neill, the former Navy SEAL credited with firing the shots that killed Osama Bin Laden in 2011.

NDSU Director of Athletics Matt Larsen gives Shaq a big Bison welcome. Shaq said it was his second trip to the Peace Garden State.

Shaq’s message to the audience of nearly 1,500 was one of persistence, accountability, and, most importantly, humility.

Thanks to savvy investing over the course of his career, Shaq now boasts a net worth of more than $350 million.
NDSU Head Men’s Basketball Coach Dave Richman listens on as Shaq regales the audience with tales of his own college coach, Dale Brown. Shaq credits Brown, a native of Minot, North Dakota, with much of his success in both basketball and life.

Shaq and event emcee and WDAY news anchor Dana Mogck kick off their conversation with a shoe-size comparison. Shaq wears size 23s while Mogck says he sports size eights.