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'Magic' dazzles SCSU
 Media Credit: Michael Martin/Managing Editor Earvin �Magic� Johnson tells about many of his life experiences in Halenbeck Hall Wednesday night.
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There was a little certain something in the air at Halenbeck Hall Wednesday night. A certain something that left basketball followers with their jaws ajar, and others who were just stunned to see somebody of this magnitude on the SCSU campus. This something came in the form of basketball icon Earvin "Magic" Johnson.
Johnson spoke to the attentive crowd as part of a speech that was sponsored by the SCSU University Program Board Speakers Committee. Johnson speaks to college audiences regularly about his experiences. Not only did he speak about his basketball career, but also about the trials and triumphs he has had to endure since finding out he had HIV in 1991.
Johnson opened up his speech by giving some background information about himself. He spoke about his childhood in East Lansing, Mich., and how his large family (10 brothers and sisters) shaped him as a person. After that, he proceeded to tell the story of the day he found out he had HIV.
With the Los Angeles Lakers at the time in 1991, Johnson was called back from a game against the Utah Jazz. He flew back to Los Angeles where his doctor told him he had contracted the virus. It took him a while to get over the shock.
"The hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life was tell my wife after that," Johnson said during his speech. She was pregnant with our first child, and during that ride home, I kept playing in my mind what I was going to say. She knew something was wrong right away. I tried to tell her but the words weren't coming out. Once I told her she started crying. That tore me up inside."
When Johnson found out that his wife and newborn child hadn't been infected with HIV, he had a new mission. That mission was to let the public know the true identity of HIV and AIDS, and how they could prevent the spread of the disease. Johnson said he is proud to represent the HIV community. He noted that the virus never had a spokesperson before he came out.
His next topic was about his business endeavors, and how he has become such a huge success since his retirement from basketball. Johnson currently owns part of the Lakers, eight different companies, 34 Starbuck cafes, has his own production company, five different Magic Johnson Theatres, and is now launching a new fast food restaurant called, "Fat Burger." The title alone tells you how health conscious the chain will probably be.
Johnson indicated how he always had a dream to succeed. He also compared his hometown of Lansing with that of St. Cloud.
"I was once like all of you," Johnson said. "I was from a little town just like you. I always dreamed of making it in basketball and business. Now, I can't believe I do the things I do. When you look at me, look at yourself. You can succeed just like I have. You just have to dream, work hard, and you can achieve everything you've always wanted."
After concluding his speech, Johnson took questions from the audience. Questions ranged from his playing days with the Lakers, dealing with HIV, to how much money he's actually worth (around $400 million if you're interested). The questioning got really interesting when a 13-year-old from the audience mixed it up with Johnson. The child took over Halenbeck as he had a quick comeback for everything Johnson said. Later, at a press conference following his speech, Johnson said it was the highlight of his night.
Most of the questions from the audience were about his playing career. During his time with the Lakers he won five NBA championships. He played with the likes of Kareem Abdul Jabbar, James Worthy and Byron Scott. He also played against legends such as Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and Isaiah Thomas. He said that Jordan and Bird were always his biggest rivals though.
"Playing against Bird and Jordan were the greatest moments of my life," Johnson said with wide eyes. "Bird couldn't jump, but he was the greatest player on the floor. Jordan was the greatest player in the air. Those two were also the biggest trashtalkers in the league at the time too. You always wanted to be at your best so you wouldn't hear it from them."
Johnson also answered the question as to whether the rumors of him running for mayor in Los Angeles were true.
"Our mayor's having problems right now," he said. "People are looking at me to run. I don't know if I want to do that, because I have enough jobs right now the way it is. I'll make the decision within the next year to run or not. I think I can do it, but it's time-consuming. It's hard right now just balancing my family with my businesses. Being mayor would make it even harder on my family."
At the press conference, Johnson said it was his goal for everybody to get something out of his speech. His main objectives were to get across to students that they have to work hard to succeed in everyday life, but also have a dream of what they envision themselves doing in the future.
Johnson said he couldn't be living a better life, and has never been down on what has happened to him.
"Truly, I haven't been through a lot of hard times," he said. "I've always liked me. I was happy before I had money. I've learned from my failures, and identified my faith."
Magic Johnson, the legend and icon, took footsteps on this very campus. His charisma and charm rubbed off on just about everybody in the audience. Except for maybe the 13-year-old, who will always be remembered as the arrogant kid who dissed the Magic Man.
Andy Rennecke can be reached at: [email protected]
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