When the Utah Jazz hosted their first summer league, in 1984, not all the players had competed on a major college level. Some had only played in junior college. There were even a couple who had played just in high school.
     
Scott Layden, then a Jazz assistant coach, even suited up.
     
It was a dubious beginning. Games were scheduled at tiny Payne Gymnasium, on the campus of Westminster College. There was no air conditioning and not much in the way of locker rooms.
     
At first, they didn't know if anyone would come to watch. Dave Allred, now a team vice president, and Kim Turner, now media relations director, went to the gymnasium in the afternoon and unfolded two bleacher sections, figuring if they filled those, the inaugural Utah Pro-Am Summer League would be a success. They charged a dollar a ticket, having been told by team president Dave Checketts that if they broke even on the project, they would each earn a whopping $100 bonus.
     
That was all they needed to hear.