Dedicated
to the Inspirational life of Mr. Bill Russell…Thank you!
August 31, 2022
On July 31, 2022 around 2:21pm CST, my Sunshine sent me this text message: “Sit down before you open this… Barack Obama’s Instagram page.” I did not need to know what it was about to know it was not good. I was right. Barack Obama’s Instagram was giving a shout out about Bill Russell, stating, “Today, we lost a giant…As tall as Bill Russell stood, his legacy rises far higher - both as a player and as a person.” That is a good segue to describe what Bill Russell meant to me. Some athletes inspire you as an athlete. Bill Russell inspired me as an athlete and as an individual.
When I was a boy, my dad gave me a Starting
Lineup figurine of Bill Russell. At the time of receiving it, I had no idea
who he was. There was no Internet accessible like it is now. I had to go to local
libraries to figure out who he was. I reviewed almanacs, encyclopedias, and
many NBA history books. When it was all done, I learned that Bill Russell was
the embodiment of success on and off the court, but for many generations that have
come after him, it’s almost like there is sports achievement amnesia
surrounding Mr. Russell. Some have forgotten he is part of a rare list in
basketball. In one year, he won a national college championship, an Olympic
gold medal, and NBA championship. He was the first Black head coach in the NBA,
only player-coach to win multiple NBA titles, and he won 11 NBA championships
in 13 years. Impressive is an understatement! And throughout his professional
sports career he was not always the best player on his team. To me, he was the
ultimate teammate on the court. He was often the best teammate on the court
because he was willing to do what needed to be done to help his teams win. This
holistic package is why Bill Russell is still my favorite
basketball player of all-time. 
Mr. Bill Russell changed basketball is so many ways
Decades later, I still love playing basketball. What was true when I was a
child is still true now. I was never
the best player on the court. I wasn't the best shooter, or ball handler, or
defender. I knew if I wanted a chance to be part of teams, I had to get out of my
feelings, and figure out how I was gonna contribute…I did what needed
to be done. I have held onto this mentality as a value that is a foundational
aspect of what makes me - me.
In my personal and professional worlds, I do a lot of things that if I chose to
promote them might bring notoriety in a monetary way. I edit textbooks, consult
for municipalities, volunteer with numerous non-profits, and mentor others.
Rarely, will you hear me sharing those things in casual conversation. It is not
because they are not important. It is because the recognition is not at the
center of why I do it. I picked up this approach from Mr. Bill Russell. He was
the ultimate teammate in the community, too. Even in the twilight days of his
life, you will hear stories of Mr. Russell doing things in the community
(inside and outside the NBA). Mr. Russell did not do things for recognition.
For him, he often helped simply because it needed to be done.
Most recently I was nominated by one of my peers to be considered for our
college’s faculty of the year award. At first, I was not sure why I was
nominated. To me, I do not do anything out of the ordinary. I seek to teach in
a way that is engaging and provide ways for the course material to be applied
outside the classroom. But, to some of my colleagues, I do more than that.
While I recognize some see this as a big deal, I do it because it needs to be
done. Whether I ever get publicly acknowledged again for my efforts, I am going
to keep doing what I do, because that’s what needs to be done. And apparently,
having a “cause it needed to be done philosophy” is contagious. I have had the
privilege of seeing my children help others in various ways because it needed
to be done. You never know who is watching you. You never know how your values
might become values someone else embraces. Act wisely!
Russell welcomed recognition but it wasn't the motivation
I hope more of us do things simply because they need to get done. There are cynical people who believe individuals doing good things because it is the right thing to do (and do it without recognition) is rare. I strongly disagree. There are plenty of people behind the scenes doing great things to make the world better with small and large humanitarian acts. Our challenges are to stop waiting to see behaviors in someone else and to stop waiting for someone to broadcast an individual’s acts of service. We should start looking at ourselves and figure out what is holding us from filling a need when no one is watching or cheering us on. You see a need, be a solution to the need. Why? Because it needs to be done!
Be well!
Elgrie J. Hurd III
-2022-2023 Dallas College’s Minnie Stevens Piper Excellence in Teaching Award Nominee
