Notes from the WACKO! File: And Tales from the Madhouse on McDowell

"Notes from the WACKO! File and Tales from the Madhouse on McDowell," is one man's collection of stories and oddball letters saved over a 37-year career in public relations for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. The book covers the author's personal journey and its intersection with the first quarter-century of Suns history (1968-1992). It features behind-the-scenes stories on Jerry Colangelo, Connie Hawkins, Joe Proski, Dick Van Arsdale, the Phoenix Suns Gorilla and many others who help shape the early history of the Suns franchise. "The Madhouse on McDowell" was the nickname given to the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, where the Suns played their first 24 seasons.

Tom Ambrose is a public relations professional who spent 37 years (1973-2010) in the front office of the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. He was born and raised in New Rochelle, New York, where he attended Iona Prep. Later, he matriculated at the University of Notre Dame, majoring in English. After his 1970 graduation from Notre Dame, he moved to Arizona to begin his public relations career with Phoenix Newspapers, Inc. Two years later, he entered the world of sports management as public relations director for the Suns. On a league level, Ambrose founded the NBA's Public Relations Directors Association (NBAPRDA), authored its code of ethical standards and served as the organization's first president. In 1996, the NBAPRDA honored Tom with its "Splaver-McHugh Tribute to Excellence Award" for his contributions to the profession. Throughout his career with the Suns, he managed the team's public relations, community relations and, played a key leadership role with the team's non-profit, community foundation, Phoenix Suns Charities. In 1992, Tom teamed up with Jim Brewer to co-author the book, "A Silver Anniversary Celebration of the Phoenix Suns." Tom lives in Phoenix with his wife Alice and a free-loading dog named Buddy.