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Event Video Zo's Fund for Life: 3-Year-Old Receives Liver Transplant By Jennifer Wolf Dec. 18, 2008 Washington, D.C. - On Friday November 21, more than 120 students, alumni, and fans packed into McShain Lounge to hear former Georgetown men's basketball All-American Alonzo Mourning speak about basketball, Georgetown, and life. In town to sign copies of his new book, Resilience: Faith, Focus, Triumph, Mourning spent the evening exploring his old stomping grounds and giving advice to the next generation of Hoyas. Alonzo Mourning graduated Georgetown in 1992 with a degree in sociology. Later that year, he was selected with the second pick in the NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets. At Georgetown, he was a three-time Associated Press All-American (1988-89, 1989-90, 1991-92), twice named First Team All-BIG EAST (1990, 1992) and was Big East Player of the Year in 1992. He still ranks as the fourth all-time leading scorer in school history with 2,001 points, one of four players to score at least 2,000 points in his career, and ranks third all-time in rebounds (1,032) and second all-time in blocked shots (453). His storied professional career included stints with the Charlotte Hornets, New Jersey Nets, and Miami Heat, with whom he won a championship in 2006. He was also a member of the 2000 Olympic Gold Medal team which played in Sydney. However, his playing career was put on hold when he was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a kidney disease, during a routine preseason physical before the 2000-01 season. In a touching moment, Mourning opened up about finding out about his kidney disease. Explaining that he had gotten caught up in the "NBA life," he talked about the effect his disease had on his life afterward. At the time, he had just finished off one of his best seasons; although the Heat had lost to the Knicks in the playoffs, a fact that Alonzo did not want to admit, he was named Defensive Player of the Year, All-NBA Second Team, and was voted by fans to start in the All-Star Game. He recalled putting down the phone after hearing about his diagnosis and thinking, "Why now?" However, he never lost his determination to get back on the court, even when the doctor told him it may not be possible.
Mourning spoke very highly about his time at Georgetown. He laughed as he admitted falling up the hill on the way to his Village A apartment, in full dress clothes, following a road trip. However, he also mentioned how much his time at Georgetown, both inside and outside the classroom, impacted his life. He spoke of how influential Coach John Thompson was on his development as a basketball player and as a person. "Coach Thompson was like a father to me," Mourning said. "McDonough [Gymnasium] was my biggest classroom because it taught me about life." His memoir, Resilience: Faith, Focus, Triumph, is, as he described it, a book about his experiences as well as a book about life. Half of the proceeds from sales are going toward funding medication for those who can not afford it, as well as other charitable endeavors. Mourning also talked about Zo's Fund for Life, a charity he started to raise money for FSGS following his diagnosis. Following his speech, Mourning was presented with a "We Are Georgetown" shirt by members of Hoya Blue. The event was a unique opportunity for students to get up close and personal with the former Georgetown and NBA star as, following the lecture, students had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Mourning while they got their book signed. "Although a multi-millionaire and NBA superstar, it was great to see him speak so highly and fondly of his years as a Hoya," Georgetown senior Benjamin Levandoski said. "The room went silent when he walked in; everyone was in awe of him but he was humble and reflective, connecting his experiences with those of his audience." The event was put on by the Georgetown University Lecture Fund and the Georgetown University Bookstore. To learn more about Alonzo Mourning and his charity work, visit his website at amcharities.org |
 
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