Mike Owens is one of the most accomplished alumni ever to
come out of Einstein
High School, both
athletically and professionally. Mike
graduated from AEHS in 1976 after a standout career in basketball and
football. Mike received a 4-year
basketball scholarship at the University
of Virginia, where he was
to become a 4-year starter and co-captain of the 1980 National Invitation
Tournament championship team. After
college, Mike went on to earn a medical degree from the Medical College of
Virginia and an MBA from the University
of Pittsburgh. He now works as an emergency physician and
department director, and lives in the Pittsburgh
area with his wife, Carmen and their 6 children.
The Hall of Fame asked Mike to write a brief article sharing
his thoughts and experiences in becoming a 2008 HOF Inductee. Of course Mike graciously accepted our
request and his article follows below.
Thanks Mike!
As I sat at the desk in my home
office trying to painstakingly reconstruct the details of my years at Einstein
- a life more than 30 years removed - I found myself lost somewhere between
fantasy and reality. I had a lingering
sense of doubt as I recalled winning baskets I'd made; shots I'd blocked; accolades I'd won; fun I'd had. Did it all really happen, or were the years
embellishing my memories? Some of it had to be true, didn't it? After all, the
Hall of Fame Committee never would have considered me had my accomplishments been
forgettable. With the help of friends
and family I assembled old newspaper clippings, dusted off old pictures and
poured over yearbooks I had not seen in years.
The process was both humbling and
exhilarating. The world was different in the 70's. The major battles in Vietnam had
ended, but the war our returning troops would fight for the dignity and respect
they deserved had just begun. The Civil Rights and Voting Acts were barely a
decade old. Afros, long hair, dashikis,
platform shoes, bell bottoms and bold (forgettable!) patterns were all the
rage. Basketball pants were short!
No one seemed to be able to agree on anything - except sports, that is. Sports
were safe havens from the world's chaos and Einstein had some of the best. I
was truly blessed to follow in the footsteps of, play alongside of and be
coached by some of the Washington Metropolitan area's most legendary sports
figures. As I pondered this I gathered together the tattered evidence of my
humble contribution and submitted it to the HOF committee for consideration.
The day came when I received my
acceptance into the Hall. Before they could change their minds (and before I
chickened out!) I graciously accepted the appointment. When the day came to
attend the induction ceremony, I decided to come alone. I told my wife I
thought she and the kids would be bored and that the 4 hour drive to Kensington
wouldn't be worth it. She reluctantly acquiesced and I headed out. During the
drive that sense of doubt began to creep in again.
The Friday night get-together at
Titan field was a step back in time. I met current Hall of Famers I'd only
previously read about, and reacquainted myself with friends, teammates and
coaches I hadn't seen since graduation. Later that night many of us went to a
local Kensington watering hole to let our hair down (those of us who still have
it). We rehashed the high times and low times of Einstein sports - taking turns
filling in the details for one another. Good times were had by all! Before
going back to my hotel I drove around my old neighborhood. Had it really been
32 years?
As I drove down Newport Mill Road
the next day on my way to the induction ceremony memories - far more vivid than
those I had while reviewing newspaper clippings - came flooding back. I started
to remember actions, sounds and smells that existed a lifetime ago. By the time
I rolled up to the front door of Albert
Einstein High
School, I was pumped! But as the enormity of the
event started to sink in, I was simultaneously elated and saddened - saddened
that I would experience this ceremony without my family.
The reception was a classy event
that allowed me to reconnect with even more people from my Einstein years.
Between conversations I was trying to conjure up a presentable acceptance
speech when I saw my sister enter the reception area (I had not told any of my
3 sisters who still live in the area about the HOF). I was both surprised and grateful that
she'd gone out of her way to be there for me. As we talked, my jaw nearly
dropped as my other 2 sisters, with their families in tow, came through the
door. What a great reunion this was turning out to be! But the highlight of the
evening occurred within the next few minutes when my wife and 6 children - all the way from Pittsburgh
- appeared in the doorway! I was literally driven to tears. I ended up winging
my speech (and it showed), but my words and emotions were heartfelt. The doubts
I had carried with me fell away as my friends, coaches, teachers and family
members reaffirmed that I had indeed made a positive difference at Einstein High School.
I am both humbled and proud to
have been chosen as a member of the HOF.
Although still in its infancy, the HOF
is already positively impacting the lives of AEHS students
through
scholarships. With our collective
efforts, the HOF
has the ability to touch the lives of many Einstein students and alumni in the
form of networking, scholarships, mentoring and other activities. I realize
that with my election came the responsibility to give back, and this is a responsibility
I relish. I urge my fellow members to remain involved and to continue to
support our causes. We, having been so honored, have the joyful obligation to
use our God-given gifts for the betterment of those who follow. Thanks for letting me tag along!
Mike Owens
HOF Inductee 2008
AEHS Class of 1976
MIKE OWENS ACCEPTS HOF NOMINATION
