Claude Johnson To Speak At Basketball Hall Of Fame, May 7


On May 7, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., I’ll be the featured guest speaker at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for their MVP’s of Character Education Series.

Here’s what their website says about this program:

The goal of this program is to offer teachers and students an opportunity to explore the relationship between healthy character development, mature decision-making and academic achievement.

Basketball stars and well-known figures from the community are invited to speak with school groups about their experiences as they relate to the “Most Valuable Pillars” of Character identified below.

  • Enhance students’ understanding of good character by promoting proven traits that will help them make good ethical decisions and lead them on the path to success
  • Inspire youth with stories of basketball celebrities who represent the traits of character that responsible and successful citizens would emulate
  • Educate youth to understand the relationship between self-discipline, athletic achievement, good moral character, and how they impact academic achievement
  • Apply useful life-skills education across a variety of subjects

Hall of FameClaude Johnson presenting at the
Basketball Hall of Fame, in 2006.

Did you know that the Basketball Hall of Fame has an Education Department?

Well, they do. Its stated mission is “to capture the attention and imagination of youth via their love and interest in basketball while providing learning tools and inspirational messages that teach in a fun and active learning environment.”

If you know me, then you know that I’ve openly criticized the Basketball Hall of Fame regarding their selection process and their omissions, particularly those obvious ones from the Black Fives Era.

So, are you wondering how I’ll reconcile this visit with that criticism?

Good question!

Mainly, these are separate issues. This program has to do with educating people, mostly kids.

So I’ll use it as an opportunity to educate about these topics:

  • the Black Fives Era in general
  • some individual pioneer shout outs
  • my opinions about the leading Black Fives Era candidates for enshrinement (maybe someone from the “veterans committee” will overhear this part)
  • what it means to make history now
  • some principles of success that I use every day
  • creating something from nothing
  • my Brand Map as an example

Last time I did this, here’s what one of the parents wrote me afterwards:

I was at the Basketball Hall of Fame this past Wednesday, January 18th with Center School in Longmeadow, MA. I was one of the Moms taking pictures of you with some of the kids.

I wanted to let you know what a great speaker you are and what a powerful message you had for the kids to hear. I wrote down a lot of what you said and have been telling all my friends about passion and all the positive benefits that come from having it. I was really impressed.

I think it is fabulous that you are taking the time to talk to kids about the future with such a positive message. You are a wonderful role model. I look forward to you writing a book.

Keep up the good work!!! Good luck with the company.

So, whatever happened to my book?

Well, I’m happy to say that I just finished a proposal for my first book that is now making the rounds. I’ll let you know how that goes.

Meanwhile, please check out this program if you can, whether you come to my talk, or to one of the others in their impressive lineup of scheduled guest speakers!

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[…] I was there as part of the Champions of Character Education Series that I previously described. […]

Tyrone Robinson
15 years ago

Claude keep up the good work. I happen to be from Springfield Mass. and I wish I had known you were a guest speaker because I would have enjoyed to hear you speak on the subject. Nothin’ but love 4 the Black Fives legacy.

Sloan T. Baptiste
15 years ago

Congrats Mr. Johnson!!!!! Makin History isn’t easy but it sure is fun. Hope 2 see you soon.

Susan
15 years ago

Hi Claude – Wish I could be there – Hope it goes well :)

Tim Sullivan
15 years ago

I can’t wait for the book. I’ve been looking for this history for a long time now!

Keith Ellis
15 years ago

Fabulous news, Claude! Dare we dream that one of the “pioneer shout-outs” for the HoF to hear might be Big Dave or a woefully-forgotten Chicago Crusader/Savoy Big Five veteran like Agis Bray or Jackie Bethards, the original Clown Prince of BasketBall?

[…] I was there as part of the Champions of Character Education Series that I previously described. […]

15 years ago

C: Talk about the Olympic Torch for the 2008 games to be held in China, know this, you ARE the biggest Torch still burning for what you believe is JUST….HISTORY, of eras gone by still unknown or acknowledged by many…..Keep it burning C….tosh

15 years ago

Knock ’em dead Claude.

Arthur Kimmel
15 years ago

That’s great, Claude. I wish I could be there. Please let me know how it goes and if there is anything I can do to help. By the way, the book I co-authored: The College Athlete’s Guide to Academic Success: Tips from peers and profs (Pearson/Prentice Hall) might be a useful resource for the educational/academic component of the program. Keep on fighting the good fight!

Arthur

carl campbell
15 years ago

i wish all the best tomorrow when you speak on the behalf of black fives i know you will reflect the thoughts of brothers who have tried to give you the benifit of their history which played into our lives which includes basketball and other sports/thanks and peace

Llorin Teters (Joyful Raven)
15 years ago

Claude—You’re a Wizard in all that you do and you make us all proud. You go guy!!! All The Best—Llorin

Edwin Henderson
15 years ago

Claude,

I hope all goes well tomorrow and that momentum to getting the HOF to be inclusive and elect more of the Black Fives era personalities recognized for their significant contributions to make the gamne what it is today. Our destinies are tied up wityh each other. If you are successful, then it will mean for success for us as well. Let us know how things turn out. And if there is anyway to watch your presentation, please let us know.

We wish you the best!!

EBHII