Muleskinner

Issue date: 1/24/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Ryan Gibbs: Photography Editor Commentary: Nate Taylor [Click to enlarge]

The night had almost everything; really. After the highly anticipated event that had everybody excited and hyped-up, it was finally time for Warrensburg to hear what Earvin "Magic" Johnson had to say.

His speech was dazzling, and much more insightful than I imagined. The only problem I saw was unfortunately, quite obvious: there just weren't enough students there.

In short, Johnson talked about having passion for each other, love, motivation, keeping Martin Luther King's Jr. dream alive, perseverance, he also said that he believes a college education is the key to success for urban teenagers with dreams.

And yet, based on my own estimations, there were only about 50 students at the dinner Tuesday.

I know when the University confirmed Johnson was coming they immediately made some tickets $50, in order to have more people be able to attend. The good seats to the Freedom Scholarship Dinner were $100. Thus, there were only 50 students there. But that's embarrassing.

After all, in the past few years the event was in the Multipurpose Building. I know the University wanted to have a more elegant atmosphere this year, but at the Multi, people could still buy tickets for tables on the court, and the students were able to sit in the bleachers for free.

I know higher prices for tickets mean more money would be donated for the scholarships, but that shouldn't keep students away. In an effort to bring more students, the University even had a free telecast of the dinner.

All week leading up the event, all I heard was how students wanted to go see Johnson. Well, that was their chance, and they dropped the ball.

For me, I was so pleased to just be at the event. To watch and listen to Johnson speak was as exciting as it gets for a sports fan like me. Not to mention, I learned more about Johnson as a man, than I did watching him on television all my life.

And to think, if I hadn't worked for the Muleskinner, then I might not have had the opportunity to experience that.

Some students still got in. Just take a few of my friends for example.

A close friend Jason Smith said he got the opportunity of a lifetime by talking to Johnson. Takihah Nero wanted to work the event just to see Johnson in person.

Heck, even my man Neil Hayes worked with the catering service to hear Johnson. These guys got the message and received a rare reward that they will remember.

I'm not blaming the University or the students, but I think next year more students should have the opportunity, and the desire to come for next year's dinner.

At the end of his speech, Johnson told everybody to take a moment to think of all the blessings that were around them, and how MLK Jr. died for a night like Tuesday.

An hour after his speech, I sat down and thought, man, I wish more students had been blessed to experience this occasion.

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