Spring Break
Magic Johnson visits UA, tells of life experiences
Taniah Tudor
Issue date: 10/20/08 Section: News
Magic Johnson visited the UA campus Thursday and spoke in Barnhill Arena about the advantages of focusing on goals and aims, but not just in basketball.
Earvin Johnson Jr., known to most of the world as "Magic" for his skills on the basketball court, is not just considered by the NBA Encyclopedia to be a truly unique ex-player. He is also a business man and philanthropist.
During his speech, Johnson focused on the business ventures of Magic Johnson Enterprises and the Magic Johnson Foundation, both of which focus on serving ethnically diverse, urban communities, according to their Web site.
Johnson talked with the crowd about challenges he has faced throughout his life, which include attending college and becoming a businessman. His various business ventures include bringing movie theaters, Starbucks and other companies to "urban America."
During the speech, Johnson pointed to himself and said, "Here's a kid from the ghetto who could have said, 'There's no way I could own Starbucks, there's no way I could be in the NBA.' Just because I'm from the ghetto doesn't mean I can't be a CEO."
Johnson said he took advantage of the education he received at Michigan State University, and it has helped him to become a business owner.
Johnson talked to students about building good support systems in their relationships to help them be successful in life.
"If they don't support you with the goals that you have set, you need to get yourself a new friend," Johnson said.
He spoke of his relationship with his wife, Cookie, as an example of such a support system. Johnson said they kept each other on track with their goals.
"She bought into my dream just like I bought into hers," he said.
Johnson said Cookie supported him not only in his career, but also with his struggle with HIV.
"The hardest thing I ever had to do was tell my wife that I have HIV," Johnson said.
Johnson announced in 1991 that he had HIV and was retiring from basketball, though he did play a few more times before a final retirement. He said he went public because he wanted to help young people.
Earvin Johnson Jr., known to most of the world as "Magic" for his skills on the basketball court, is not just considered by the NBA Encyclopedia to be a truly unique ex-player. He is also a business man and philanthropist.
During his speech, Johnson focused on the business ventures of Magic Johnson Enterprises and the Magic Johnson Foundation, both of which focus on serving ethnically diverse, urban communities, according to their Web site.
Johnson talked with the crowd about challenges he has faced throughout his life, which include attending college and becoming a businessman. His various business ventures include bringing movie theaters, Starbucks and other companies to "urban America."
During the speech, Johnson pointed to himself and said, "Here's a kid from the ghetto who could have said, 'There's no way I could own Starbucks, there's no way I could be in the NBA.' Just because I'm from the ghetto doesn't mean I can't be a CEO."
Johnson said he took advantage of the education he received at Michigan State University, and it has helped him to become a business owner.
Johnson talked to students about building good support systems in their relationships to help them be successful in life.
"If they don't support you with the goals that you have set, you need to get yourself a new friend," Johnson said.
He spoke of his relationship with his wife, Cookie, as an example of such a support system. Johnson said they kept each other on track with their goals.
"She bought into my dream just like I bought into hers," he said.
Johnson said Cookie supported him not only in his career, but also with his struggle with HIV.
"The hardest thing I ever had to do was tell my wife that I have HIV," Johnson said.
Johnson announced in 1991 that he had HIV and was retiring from basketball, though he did play a few more times before a final retirement. He said he went public because he wanted to help young people.
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