Basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar knows what it takes to be successful on the basketball court.
Abdul-Jabbar is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, a six-time NBA MVP and was a member of six NBA championship and three NCAA championship teams. He may well best be known for his iconic shot — the skyhook.
Some people may ask why would a former basketball player speak at an event being held by a school that focuses on mathematics, science and the arts?
Abdul-Jabbar realizes the importance of a good education, especially for underprivileged students. He is an advocate for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.
After all, jobs in the NBA are limited. Students need to be prepared to succeed in a career other than sports or entertainment.
“There’s only 450 NBA jobs available at any time,” Abdul-Jabbar said during a panel discussion at the U.S. News 2012 STEM Summit. “There are thousands upon thousands of engineering jobs. They can walk right off the stage when they get their diploma and be employed. That means a lot.”
That’s an important message for students, parents and the community to hear. On April 25, 2013, Abdul-Jabbar will share his message about the importance STEM education as the keynote speaker for the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts’ Open Book Celebration.
The celebration will be held at 6 p.m. at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock.
The event, presented by The ASMSA Foundation, will be an opportunity to celebrate the mission of the school, which is to develop the talents of high-achieving students through preparatory studies in mathematics, sciences and technology.
ASMSA is one of 15 public residential high schools in the country specializing in STEM education. ASMSA provides a significant means of helping Arkansas increase the number of students who go on to earn college degrees and contribute to the state’s economic development.
The name of the celebration is inspired by ASMSA’s new Student Center, which was dedicated in August 2012. The tower of the Student Center represents a lighthouse for education, which is capped with the best symbol for learning there is: an open book.
Tickets are $150 per person. Sponsorships are also available and include a private VIP reception with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, media advertising, program guide recognition, table options and signed copies of his book “On the Shoulders of Giants.” For more information on sponsorship opportunities, click here.
For more information on the Open Book Celebration or to serve as a sponsor, contact Vicki Hinz, ASMSA development specialist, at (501) 622-5110 or email hinzv@asmsa.org.
To read more about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, click here. For more information on the Clinton Presidential Center, click here.