Southern alum, NBA coach Johnson set to speak for Fall Commencement

Dallas Marericks Coach Avery Johnson

Southern University alumnus and Dallas Mavericks head coach Avery Johnson will be the keynote speaker for the Fall 2007 commencement exercises at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7 in the Felton G. Clark Activity Center.

The New Orleans native and Southern basketball standout began playing professionally in 1988. He played in several cities before landing in Dallas where he ended his career as a player.

Don Nelson resigned as head coach of the Mavericks in 2005 and Johnson was named the eighth coach in the history of the franchise. Johnson finished the season with a 16-2 mark and was named Western Conference Coach of the Month for April after guiding the Mavericks to their highest win total for that month in team history (10-1 mark).

He was also named Western Conference Coach of the Month in November of 2005, becoming the first coach in league history to win the award in his first two full months of coaching. Johnson picked up the award again in January 2006 and was later named NBA Coach of the Year for 2005-06.

Johnson married his wife Cassandra in July of 1991 in New Orleans. They have two children, Christianne and Avery Jr. He has a strong passion for men's ministry, and financially and spiritually supports many church programs in New Orleans, Houston and Dallas. His motivational speeches are in high demand at churches and schools across the nation. In October 2005, he was co-host of the Katrina Rescue Ride to benefit the Salvation Army and the Red Cross' relief efforts of the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

For more information contact the Office of Academic Affairs at 225-771-2360.