MIKE MEISINGER

Former Wildcat basketball player Eugene Edgerson is presented with the College of Education's "Spirit Award" by Bob Wortman, the COE's Alumni Council President, in a ceremony last night.

Friday October 19, 2001

Former Wildcat honored by the College of Education

It seems that no matter where Eugene Edgerson goes, he draws attention.

This time it was for something other than his Afro or his status on the Arizona men's basketball team.

Edgerson, a 2000 graduate of the College of Education at the University of Arizona, was awarded the first ever "Spirit Award" by the COE Alumni Council last night.

"Life is more than athletics," Edgerson said. "With basketball you have a lot of fair-weather fans. The thing I like about these type of events is that honesty comes out, and it means a lot."

Arizona Congressman Jim Kolbe attended the event and said Edgerson's dedication is worthy of recognition.

"This is a special evening," Kolbe said. "You hear so much about sport greats that never make it or never finish their education, but then there is Gene. He not only got his undergrad but his master's too. He never lost sight of what is important."

Men's basketball coach Lute Olson was unable to attend the event, but congratulated Edgerson via video.

"No one deserves this award more," Olson said. "This award has more to do with than just basketball. This is more about the meaning of life. It is great the kind of impact (Edgerson) has had on the children in the community."

Friend and fraternity brother Claude-Daniel Fabien said Edgerson is who he is because of his drive to become a good person.

"Basketball didn't make him," Fabien said. "He made himself. If you took basketball away, he would still be himself."

Edgerson also had an impact on his teachers as well. Walter Doyle, an education professor, said that from the start, he recognized Edgerson as a special student.

"He is a very thoughtful scholar," Doyle said. "As players put on their headphones, Gene pulled out his books."

Director of Athletics Jim Livengood also recognized Edgerson's dedication to excellence.

"When a young man has done what he has done academically and focused on a goal and also achieved what he has athletically, that is a student athlete," Livengood said.

Edgerson, who used a redshirt his senior year in order to fulfill a promise to himself and his mother to graduate in four years, taught at Borton Elementary School with kindergarten teacher Barbara Casanova.

Casanova said she is grateful for the impact Edgerson had not only on the children, but herself.

"He had basketball on his mind," Casanova said, "but the children came first."

Casanova said Edgerson inspired her to go back to school and earn her master's degree.

Perhaps the most touching presentation of the evening was when two of Edgerson's students at Borton Elementary school gave Edgerson a pair of posters designed by the students.

"I was so excited to see my ex-kids," Edgerson said. "I didn't really know what to expect, but here are all of these people saying nice things about me, makes me feel like I am doing something right."

Edgerson said he will travel to Atlanta for an NBA developmental league, as he tries to pursue his dream of becoming a professional basketball player, but sees himself returning to kindergarten teaching following his basketball career.

"Kindergarten is where my heart is," Edgerson said.