Derek Fisher completed his career on the court and his time in the classroom at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock nearly 20 years ago, but he remains one of the school’s biggest supporters.
On Saturday afternoon, during the spring commencement ceremony at the Jack Stephens Center, Derek alma mater welcomed him back to his school and his hometown with a unique honor.
Derek was presented with an honorary Doctor of Liberal Arts degree by UALR Chancellor Dr. Joel E. Anderson, who called Coach Fisher the school’s “most famous alum.”
Derek’s NBA schedule has often made it difficult for him to return to his alma mater during the school year. But after wrapping up his first year as the head coach of the New York Knicks last month, Derek finally got to make a return trip to Little Rock, where he was not only honored with the doctorate, he was also selected as the school’s commencement speaker.
However, as he often does with his players for the New York Knicks, D-Fish deflected attention back to the students in his commencement speech at Saturday’s ceremony.
“This is your day. It’s not my day,” Derek told the crowd. “I am here in support of what you have accomplished. To Chancellor Anderson, the Board of Trustees, to everyone in the faculty here at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, thank you for what you do. Not just for these students, but for our University and our city.”
Not only did Derek attend UALR — he also grew up in Little Rock, where he was a standout on the court at Parkview High School. As a success story from the city and its university, he told the graduates that they have the power within them to accomplish their objectives in life.
“I want to tell you first-hand, that whatever it is that you imagine you can be, it is absolutely possible,” Fisher said. “I’m proof, and there are many people sitting in this room who are proof, that right here at UALR everything you want to be can be accomplished. But you’re the driver.”
.@derekfisher is about to receive his honorary doctoral degree. Chancellor Anderson says congrats to "UALR's most famous alum." #UALRgrad
— UALR (@UALR) May 16, 2015
.@derekfisher: "“I’m proof that right here at UALR everything you want to be can be accomplished." #LittleRocksTeam pic.twitter.com/AYGBnOafYd
— Little Rock Trojans (@LRTrojans) May 17, 2015
Proud to participate in commencement today @UALR & receive an honorary doctorate from my alma mater. Good to be home! pic.twitter.com/mnYccwmw38
— DerekFisher (@derekfisher) May 16, 2015
Congratulations to @derekfisher for his Honorary Doctorate. Great Person and Great Family, Very deserving. pic.twitter.com/jSDti4nFTQ
— Chris Beard (@CoachBeardTTU) May 16, 2015
Proud of #UALR spring graduates & glad to see Derek Fisher awarded hon degree. Class acts all around. pic.twitter.com/OwrVJRAGyJ
— Kristin Dutcher Mann (@dutchermann) May 16, 2015
"Follow your passion and it will lead you to your Purpose" -Derek Fisher pic.twitter.com/VVIBTlLMYe
— Ted Crass (@CoachCrassACU) May 16, 2015
Fish has been passionate about basketball his entire life. He was a state champion at Parkview, a Sun Belt Conference champion at UALR, and a five-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers. Now, he is the head coach of one of the most storied franchises in the NBA.
The fulfillment of so many of his dreams has taken Derek down a road that brought him back to UALR’s stage for 2015 commencement, and he reminded graduates that if they work hard, their dreams can be realized as well.
“If you’re specific about your passion, it will eventually lead you to your purpose,” Fish said. “For me, following my passions in life and things I believed in, are what have led me to being so honored and humbled to stand here today.”