Ahoy Mates! 'The Admiral' to Speak

David Robinson

--Photo by Robert Townsend

David Robinson, a standout on the street, on the basketball court, and as a humanitarian, will speak at Sam Houston State University Tuesday (Oct. 28).

Robinson's 11 a.m. appearance in the Beto Criminal Justice Center Killinger Auditorium is the Fall 2003 presentation of the President's Speaker Series.

Robinson, who retired from the San Antonio Spurs last season after his team won the National Basketball Association championship, has individual, team, and service accomplishments in proportion to his 7-1, 250-pound physical stature.

Nicknamed "The Admiral" after he set scoring, rebounding, and blocked shot records as an NCAA player and graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1987, he served two years in the U. S. Navy before continuing his athletic career with the San Antonio Spurs.

His individual career highlights as a member of the Spurs include being named the league's Most Valuable Player in 1995, Defensive Player of the Year in 1992, Rookie of the Year in 1990, and winning the 1991 rebounding title, 1992 blocked shot title, and 1994 scoring title.

He was named to the all-NBA first team four times, 1991, 1992, 1995 and 1996.

His team accomplishments include the Spurs' two NBA championships, in 1999 and 2003, and winning two gold medals and one bronze as the only male basketball player in U. S. history to appear in three different Olympic games.

Off the court, in an era when professional athletes are often perceived as selfish, arrogant and overpaid, he has countered that image with contributions to education and the community.

In 1992, as his NBA career was just being established, he and his wife, Valerie, created the David Robinson Foundation, a Christian organization that supports programs that address the physical and spiritual needs of the family.

In 1997 the Robinsons announced a $5 million gift to create the Carver Academy, a new independent school serving primarily low-income African-American and Hispanic families on San Antonio's culturally diverse East Side. The family donated another $2 million to support the school's construction and fund student scholarships in September 2001 and an additional pledge of $2 million in May 2002 to support the school's permanent endowment.

For those unable to be seated in the Killinger Auditorium, closed-circuit television feeds will be available in the Strecher and Bates rooms.

The President's Speaker Series was created in January 2002 by James F. Gaertner, SHSU president, to introduce Sam Houston State University students, many of whom are first generation college students, to people who are living successful and principled lives. It is supported by a grant from long-time SHSU benefactor Lu Ellen Gibbs.

Previous speakers in the series have included Gene Stallings, Debbie Fields and Dave Dravecky.

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SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
Oct. 22, 2003
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