Magic Moment

Earvin Johnson covers range of topics at Eisenhower

Riding the coattails of the recent NBA All-Star weekend, Earvin "Magic" Johnson continued on the all-star theme last night at Eisenhower Auditorium.

"All of you are all-stars too," Johnson said. "You have to think like that too. You have to be an all-star in what you choose to do."

As part of the Distinguished Speakers Series and sponsored by the student activity fee and the Penn State men's basketball team, Johnson approached the podium with a standing ovation from a live and energetic crowd. The former Los Angeles Laker stressed the importance of being a dreamer, getting an education, and, of course, safe sex

Johnson publicly announced on Nov. 2, 1991, that he was HIV positive. Today, he said he has two people to thank for the virus not showing up in his blood -- doctors and God.

A member of five NBA championship teams with Los Angeles, Johnson pleaded with the crowd to never stop pursuing its dreams.

One young girl, in particular, had a comment rather than question about her dream for one of the NBA's 50 greatest players. She approached the microphone clad in a No. 32 Lakers jersey with purple wind pants and told Johnson he would make her dream come true if she could just shake his hand. Johnson didn't hesitate. After jumping off the stage he shook her hand and hugged her as well.

The emotional gesture brought cheers from the crowd and tears from Magic.

"That's what life is all about," a sobbing Johnson said with a quiver in his voice and tears rolling off his cheeks like rain off an umbrella.

Johnson avoided a potential two-hour sermon on education and safe sex. Instead, he spoke animatedly for about 45 minutes then proceeded to answer numerous questions from the audience for the remainder of the night, the whole time clutching a basketball he later autographed for two youngsters in the crowd.

Everything from NBA stars, HIV and AIDS, and even Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, who Johnson referred to as "the man," were discussed.

After hugging his young Laker fan Johnson took a moment and walked into the darkness of the back of the stage as if to try and hide his emotions. But there was no hiding the message behind Magic.

"If I died tonight don't anybody be sad," Johnson said with a serious tone. "I've lived life to the fullest. I married the woman I always wanted to marry. I'm doing everything I always wanted to do. My life has been great and I haven't forgotten where I came from."