Avery Johnson to speak at SU fall commencement

Avery Johnson, a Southern University alumnus and the Dallas Mavericks head coach, is the keynote speaker for the Fall 2007 commencement that is to be held Friday, December 7, in the F. G. Clark Activity Center, according to a release sent out by Margaret Ambrose, Interim Chancellor at Southern University Baton Rouge.
Also the time of graduation has been changed from its regular time of 10:30 a.m., to 2 p.m. to accommodate Johnson who is nicknamed “The Little General.”
Before Johnson was the head coach for the Dallas Mavericks, Johnson led the NCAA in assists as a junior and senior at Southern, was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year and the MVP of the conference tournament both seasons as well, according to the Mavericks’ website.
“He is somebody I look at as a prominent Southern graduate and an example – not only for what he has achieved, but for the type of person that he is,” said Bobby Taylor, a graduating senior majoring mass communications from Baton Rouge. “That’s somebody I look at as a good example for the students here at Southern – where you can come from and what you can achieve once you graduate.”
Taylor also said that he would have preferred that the ceremonies be held earlier because people would like to spend time with their out-of-town families before going out to celebrate their graduation.
In NCAA Division I record books, Johnson still holds the records for most assists in a single game, the highest single season assist average (13.3 per game) and the highest career assists average which he collected while at Southern.
As Johnson’s career continued, the website noted that on March 19, 2005, Don Nelson resigned as head coach of the Mavericks and Johnson was named the eighth coach in the history of the franchise. Johnson won 66 of his first 82 games, which was four more wins than any other coach in league history had through 82 games. He was also the fastest coach to reach the 50-win mark (62 games) and coached the Western Conference in the 2006 All-Star game and went on to be named the NBA Coach of the Year for 2005-06.
Last season, Johnson guided Dallas to a franchise-high tying 60 wins and its first appearance in the NBA Finals.
“Because of Johnson’s obligations, the commencement exercise was changed to 2 p.m.,” said Ed Pratt, assistant to the chancellor for media relations. Pratt said that he feels the change was worth it because Johnson is a famous SU graduate and a very accomplished speaker who goes around the country and is a role model.
Shemeka Green, who is from Port Allen obtaining a master degree in counseling education doesn’t mind the time change.
“That’s perfect. My children can go to school and keep their perfect attendance,” said Green who admitted that she wasn’t that familiar with Johnson who is a New Orleans native and St. Augustine High graduate.
Despite his numerous accolades collected at Southern, Johnson was not selected in the 1988 NBA Draft. He started his professional career playing with the Palm Beach Stingrays of the United States Basketball League before signing as a free agent with the Seattle Supersonics in 1988.
“I want Avery Johnson to give me some tools that he can use in my toolbox,” said Phillip Mines, a graduating senior in business management from Sandusky, Ohio. “I want him to bring something to the arena, which is what I call the job force because we are always fighting to maintain or better our position, especially Blacks.”
He also has a strong passion for men’s ministry, and he financially and spiritually supports many church programs in New Orleans, Houston and Dallas, according to officials.
His motivational speeches are in high demand at churches and schools across the nation. In October 2005, he was co-host of the Katrina Rescue Ride to benefit the Salvation Army and the Red Cross relief efforts of the victims of Hurricane Katrina according to www.internationalspeakers.com.
As a player with Seattle, Denver, Golden State, Houston and San Antonio, Johnson appeared in 90 playoff games averaging 10.5 points and 6.2 assists. He became the 75th player in NBA history to play 1,000 career games. He and Calvin Murphy are the only players under 6-feet in height to reach that milestone. Johnson was also known for his series-clinching shot in Game 5 to give the San Antonio Spurs its 1999 NBA Championship. The Spurs will retire Johnson’s number six on December 22, 2007.
Johnson is married to his wife Cassandra in July of 1991 in New Orleans and out their union, Christianne and Avery Jr., was conceived.