Magic Johnson: Youngsters’ MVP : Urban League Gives Humanitarian Award To Laker Star

What could mean more to star Laker guard Earvin “Magic” Johnson than winning back-to-back NBA championships and being named Most Valuable Player?

A small hunk of crystal shaped like a star, presented to him by the Los Angeles Urban League.

“This is the greatest award I’ve ever received in my life,” Johnson said with genuine humility.

The 16th annual Whitney M. Young Jr. award was presented to Johnson at the Urban League’s black-tie dinner at the Century Plaza Thursday night. According to an Urban League spokeswoman, the event was sold out before the invitations were in the mail. The dinner drew 1,700 people--so many that the spillover crowd had to watch the proceedings on video monitors in an anteroom.

That means they missed witnessing live the surprise appearance of Bill Cosby, who turned up for a few minutes to roast Johnson over some mildly hot coals and to chide the audience for not being home watching “The Cosby Show.”

Cosby got a semi-standing ovation for his trouble, and Johnson laughed through it all. He didn’t even lose his cool at the VIP cocktail reception, where well-wishers and rabid Laker fans barely gave Johnson enough breathing space.

L.A. Urban League president John W. Mack praised Johnson’s altruism (he supports the United Negro College Fund and conducts free basketball clinics for inner-city youth) and added that the athlete was a positive role model, both qualities that earned him the award.

Did Johnson agree with that?

“I always hoped I was,” he said after pausing to think a minute. “I’ve just lived like I live. I try to be myself. My parents raised me the right way, and because I followed their guidance that’s why I’m the person I am today.”

Dinner chairman Lodwrick Cook, CEO of ARCO, admitted that he tries to catch all the televised Laker games. Traveling keeps him from catching them live.

Chris Riley, wife of Laker coach Pat, backed him up. “He’s an avid fan,” she said.

Also on hand for the dinner were emcee Sidney Poitier; Karen Shaw, newly elected Urban League board chairman; Ron Brown, chairman of the Democratic National Committee; Philip Hawley, chairman and CEO of Carter Hawley Stores, Inc. (and last year’s honoree); actors Carl Weathers and Robert Guillaume; Mayor Tom Bradley; City Councilman Gilbert Lindsay; and New York Yankees right fielder Dave Winfield.

Singer Jeffrey Osborne provided the entertainment with a set that incorporated some audience participation--including having the mayor sing (or try to).

Mack had good news for Urban League supporters: The net proceeds from this evening were expected to be $325,000. And Mack also announced the launch of the Los Angeles Urban League Milken Family Literacy and Youth Training Center, a facility serving the Crenshaw community and surrounding areas.

The center, so named because of a $700,000 grant from the Milken Family Foundation, will offer education services to elementary, junior-high and high-school students, as well as adults.

Said Mack: “This exciting new initiative will help many more South Central Los Angeles youth--who were previously without hope and a true opportunity--to hold fast to their dreams. And to realize that just as Earvin Johnson is the best at what he does--because he paid his dues and paid the price--they, too, can be the best at whatever they aspire to do, and most importantly, pursue excellence and excel.”

Johnson had high praise for the man for whom his award was named. The late Whitney M. Young Jr. was the executive director of the National Urban League from 1961 to 1971. He was given the Medal of Freedom by the late President Lyndon B. Johnson and wrote two books, “To Be Equal” and “Beyond Racism.”

“He was a man I like to call a shaker and a mover,” Johnson said. “Mr. Young, don’t worry. This young warrior will carry on your dreams.”