The most important key components in a franchise player are the drive to win at all costs and the ability to make everyone around them better in every aspect. For the San Antonio Spurs, no one made more of a difference than center David Robinson did. Throughout The Admiral’s 14-year career, entirely spent with the Spurs, the Key West native appeared in 10 All-Star Games, was the 1995 NBA MVP and celebrated two NBA Championships. He enjoyed success throughout the 1990’s and the early 2000’s on the court, but did just as much off the court within the San Antonio community
Joining the Spurs for the 1989-90 season, Robinson led the team to the greatest single season turn around in the NBA at the time, seeing a 35 game improvement from the previous season and a run to the Western Conference semi-final, only to lose to the eventual Western champion Portland Trail Blazers. Robinson wasted little time becoming comfortable and largely involved within the San Antonio community. In 1991, he paid a visit to Gates Elementary School and made its class of fifth graders a more than generous proposal. The then NBA sophomore challenged the children to finish school and go to college by offering each individual with a $2,000 scholarship if they completed his challenge.
As the Spurs continued to see success on the court by making continuous trips to the playoffs, the community too began to reflect the on-court appeal. David, alongside his wife, created the David Robinson Foundation in the early 1990’s; which assisted in funding grants to children’s causes and other initiatives within the San Antonio area. The Foundation later committed to donating $9 million to the creation of Carver Academy, a non-profit school dedicated to serving students from culturally diverse backgrounds. The school opened its doors for the first time in 2001 and continues to run strong and plays a vital hand in children’s development in San Antonio.
Robinson, who was a humble hero in his time as a Spur, has never failed to keep his same values and approach at life. In 1998 he went beyond his initial 1991 offer of $2,000 per student who went to college, and rewarded those who went on to post secondary education with an $8,000 scholarship. He remains active at Carver Academy, making frequent visits to the school, creating a hands-on difference and not only using his wallet for the better. Although his donation has lifted the school to the status it now carries, there are no references to David or any of his basketball ascendancy found in the institute per his request.
Over his career as a Spur The Admiral kept a humble approach to his game; many times being overshadowed by giants of the 1990’s such as Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon and Patrick Ewing to name a few. His skill and natural talent however always kept him relevant and a dominant force in the league. He gained a reputation as one of the most respected players to dawn an NBA uniform, never failing to show respect for his opponents and never showed poor sportsmanship. Much of the same can be said for his work and persistence in the community he came to call his home eight months of the year. San Antonio gained much of its character with the arrival of David Robinson, a man who put both the Spurs and the city of San Antonio on the map.
To learn more about Carver Academy, visit http://www.thecarveracademy.org/page.cfm?p=1
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