Photo by: UT Martin University Relations
STEWART SERVES AS KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT UT MARTIN’S ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CELEBRATION BREAKFAST
1/21/2019 5:28:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MARTIN, Tenn. – Head men's basketball coach Anthony Stewart took part in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Breakfast held this morning at the Duncan Ballroom in the Boling University Center on the campus of the University of Tennessee at Martin.
Today's event was sponsored by the city of Martin and the university's Black Student Association to honor the memory of slain Civil Rights Movement leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Following the meal, Stewart and current UT Martin student Tyra Hawkins served as the keynote speakers. Stewart, who is in his third season leading Skyhawk men's basketball, urged those in attendance to step outside of their comfort zones to achieve success and to make a difference in the world. He noted three King quotes that had influenced his life: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that"; "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere"; and "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
"Dr. King was clearly the most important voice of the human rights movement, which worked for equal rights for all," Stewart said, noting that King refused to use violence to advance the movement and his ideas. Unfortunately, Stewart said that Americans often take basic freedoms for granted and added, "I also just think that we take for granted respect, common decency to one another, the ability to be able to be heard and have an opinion regardless of your race, religious views or political views."
Stewart was not raised during the civil rights era, but his grandparents were. They took him in at age 15, and the life lessons that he was taught by them saved his life. He observed that they were never bitter, angry or unforgiving because of all they had seen and experienced. Perhaps the biggest lesson Stewart said that he learned from his grandparents and King was, "You have to be comfortable being uncomfortable in order to tear down certain walls, and stereotypes and ignorance."
As recently as 2000, Stewart would not have believed that he could become UT Martin's head men's basketball coach. He attributed this to not applying what he learned from his grandparents and the slain civil rights leader. He began his career in the transportation industry in which few black employees worked. His first experience in Tennessee was coming to a West Tennessee town in 1999 and quickly discovering that he was out of place because of his race. The experience affected his attitude about ever returning to the state.
Later, when the opportunity came to join the UT Martin coaching staff, Stewart was reluctant to accept, but after talking with his wife, he reflected on what he had learned in life. "Due to my own ignorance, my own misinformation, my own stereotype, I just about missed my opportunity to be here (at UT Martin) today," he said. "I almost missed my opportunity to be a head coach." The decision to forgive, to love and not to hate has paid dividends in his life.
Stewart credited basketball with offering fulfillment in life not available to him in the corporate world. While holding a full-time company position in Columbus, Ohio, a friend urged him to accept a part-time coaching job, and Stewart was paid a small amount for the extra work. He had a great job and lifestyle, "But I got more fulfillment out of helping these kids, in particular, that looked like me. ... I had to do some reflection on my life." Many breaks had come his way to achieve personal and financial success, but he viewed himself as a "taker." His basketball coaching experience convinced him that it was time to give back. He resigned his corporate position in 2004 and, with his wife's support, he accepted a coaching position at Long Beach State University in California.
"I love what I do (coaching), and I'm only able to do it because of what Dr. King did for me and what Dr. King has done for everybody everywhere," Stewart said. "He's given us a blueprint, he's given us the scheme as to how you can be successful and still help others." He urged everyone to follow King's example and become "comfortable with being uncomfortable," which provides opportunities for personal growth and helping others.
Music and award presentations were also featured throughout the program. Attendees included business leaders, community members, elected officials, university faculty and staff and UT Martin students.
Today's event was sponsored by the city of Martin and the university's Black Student Association to honor the memory of slain Civil Rights Movement leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Following the meal, Stewart and current UT Martin student Tyra Hawkins served as the keynote speakers. Stewart, who is in his third season leading Skyhawk men's basketball, urged those in attendance to step outside of their comfort zones to achieve success and to make a difference in the world. He noted three King quotes that had influenced his life: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that"; "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere"; and "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
"Dr. King was clearly the most important voice of the human rights movement, which worked for equal rights for all," Stewart said, noting that King refused to use violence to advance the movement and his ideas. Unfortunately, Stewart said that Americans often take basic freedoms for granted and added, "I also just think that we take for granted respect, common decency to one another, the ability to be able to be heard and have an opinion regardless of your race, religious views or political views."
Stewart was not raised during the civil rights era, but his grandparents were. They took him in at age 15, and the life lessons that he was taught by them saved his life. He observed that they were never bitter, angry or unforgiving because of all they had seen and experienced. Perhaps the biggest lesson Stewart said that he learned from his grandparents and King was, "You have to be comfortable being uncomfortable in order to tear down certain walls, and stereotypes and ignorance."
As recently as 2000, Stewart would not have believed that he could become UT Martin's head men's basketball coach. He attributed this to not applying what he learned from his grandparents and the slain civil rights leader. He began his career in the transportation industry in which few black employees worked. His first experience in Tennessee was coming to a West Tennessee town in 1999 and quickly discovering that he was out of place because of his race. The experience affected his attitude about ever returning to the state.
Later, when the opportunity came to join the UT Martin coaching staff, Stewart was reluctant to accept, but after talking with his wife, he reflected on what he had learned in life. "Due to my own ignorance, my own misinformation, my own stereotype, I just about missed my opportunity to be here (at UT Martin) today," he said. "I almost missed my opportunity to be a head coach." The decision to forgive, to love and not to hate has paid dividends in his life.
Stewart credited basketball with offering fulfillment in life not available to him in the corporate world. While holding a full-time company position in Columbus, Ohio, a friend urged him to accept a part-time coaching job, and Stewart was paid a small amount for the extra work. He had a great job and lifestyle, "But I got more fulfillment out of helping these kids, in particular, that looked like me. ... I had to do some reflection on my life." Many breaks had come his way to achieve personal and financial success, but he viewed himself as a "taker." His basketball coaching experience convinced him that it was time to give back. He resigned his corporate position in 2004 and, with his wife's support, he accepted a coaching position at Long Beach State University in California.
"I love what I do (coaching), and I'm only able to do it because of what Dr. King did for me and what Dr. King has done for everybody everywhere," Stewart said. "He's given us a blueprint, he's given us the scheme as to how you can be successful and still help others." He urged everyone to follow King's example and become "comfortable with being uncomfortable," which provides opportunities for personal growth and helping others.
Music and award presentations were also featured throughout the program. Attendees included business leaders, community members, elected officials, university faculty and staff and UT Martin students.
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