WS Chronicle

Davidson County Community College in Thomasville recently hosted former NBA star Muggsy Bogues as part of its Campus Speaker Series. Bogues’ theme, “Succeed on Your Own Terms,” was designed to give students, faculty, staff and community members an inspirational and enthusiastic message.

Bogues used his personal experiences on the court and in life to spread the message that you can do anything if you set your mind to it – words of advice he shares not only in presentations, but also through basketball clinics, which he has hosted for more than 20 years.

His message provided great motivation for those who might be experiencing stumbling blocks and inspiration to those seeking to accomplish their own personal goals, notes Lynne Watts, director of Student Life and Leadership at DCCC.

Bogues’ message especially hit home for guests at the event, such as DCCC Storm basketball player Dylan Beck, who notes he was a big fan of the Charlotte Hornets when Bogues was on the team.

“I admire the contributions he has made to promote basketball in the area,” says Beck, who serves as the Storm team captain and has plans to

Beck poses with Bogues.

join the military. “Bogues’ words remind me that your passion can become a successful career.”

The event also drew attention from younger students, such as Mason Spainhour, who attends Central Davidson Middle School and aspires to play basketball at the college level someday.

“The message I took from Muggsy was, ‘Don’t give up, keep going and stay with your dream,’” says Spainhour, who took advantage of an early release day from school and attended the presentation with his dad, Ramie Spainhour.

“He wants to go to the next level, and he needs to learn the concept of self-confidence and not giving up,” Ramie Spainhour adds.

Bogues, who stands at just 5 foot, 3 inches, overcame amazing odds to become an all-star at Wake Forest University, as well as an NBA standout. He played on various teams during his career, including the Washington Bullets, Charlotte Hornets, Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors, and retired from professional play ranking at No. 16 among all time assist leaders in the league.

“Muggsy took the opportunity to show our campus community that anything can be accomplished through hard work and dedication,” Watts says. “I believe our students and community can easily take his message and relate it to their life experiences – school, work, personal life and more. After all, he is living proof that amazing things can be accomplished when you don’t give up.”