He’s one of the world’s greatest athletes, a basketball legend revered for the grace of his three-pointers, the seemingly effortless art of the swish.
That’s the superficial snapshot of Stephen Curry, the NBA’s current MVP.
The Davidson College community carries a much longer scorecard.
Davidson’s Curry uses his talent, fame and money to help the less fortunate with access to healthy food, medical care, books and athletic opportunities.
He models the message that education matters; that what you do off the court means the most; that your net worth is defined by what you give back.
And that you keep your word. Curry ’10 walked across a stage in Belk Arena on Wednesday to accept the diploma he started working toward 16 years ago and promised he’d earn someday. And his college community took an afternoon to celebrate his graduation, induction into Davidson’s Hall of Fame, and the retirement of his jersey and number 30.
Eight other Wildcats have had jerseys retired over the years; it’s the first time the college has retired a number.
The “Curry for 3” event packed the gym with Curry’s family, friends, former teammates, classmates and the college’s current student body, faculty and staff. They celebrated his rise from the slight teenage underdog passed over by most colleges to a basketball icon, family man and philanthropist.
The town joined the celebration, with “Congratulations #30” and other banners strung along fences and hanging from roofs and windows of local homes and businesses.
A line of professors and college leaders dressed in traditional commencement garb processed through the arena to begin the ceremony. A hyped-up crowd, decked out in black and red, many sporting Davidson “30” jerseys, burst into a joyful, raucous standing ovation as Curry followed in a cap and gown.
“We are extremely proud to call ourselves your home team, your base of support, your cheering section,” College President Doug Hicks said. “Davidson’s statement of purpose says that we help students to develop humane instincts and disciplined and creative minds for lives of leadership and service. The world has seen that Stephen Curry is living out those words.”
Many more ovations followed, with one especially big roar when Curry stood and proudly displayed his Davidson diploma and threw his graduation cap in the air.
“Seeing this many people…seeing these familiar faces, these friends, these people who believed in me,” Curry said in an emotional speech. “Davidson lives with me and in me. This community is special. I can’t begin to thank you all enough for showing up for me every step of the way.
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Source: Los Angeles Times
