At 6-feet, 10-inches, Alonzo Mourning is used to being the big man on campus, but yesterday the former Miami Heat center stamped his name on his very own campus in North Miami.
When the Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High School opens on Monday, about 620 students will be the first to walk through the halls of the school named after the Heat legend and his wife.
"Pulling up here, we had a wild moment, just understanding that this is a tremendous blessing to be recognized in this manner," Mourning said yesterday.
While you expect to see pro athletes at the opening of a club or restaurant with their name on it, Zo clearly isn't your average jock. The Mournings have been tireless advocates for South Florida children.
"With this type of recognition and honor comes responsibility, and we are excited about accepting that responsibility," Zo said yesterday.
Zo and Tracy beat out Janet Reno earlier in the year as the school searched for a name. The Mournings said they were happy to have been given the honor.
"It has God written all over it and we are so humbled by the gesture and we look forward to the opportunity to be a part of so many different children's lives," Tracy said.
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Zo and Tracy got a tour of the school yesterday and met with faculty. Zo not only gave each teacher a signed copy of his book, Resilience: Faith, Focus, Triumph, he also gave the new team a pep talk.
"Each and everyone of us in here knows the value of education. None of us would be here without that foundation, it is a blueprint to success," he said.
Workers are still applying the finishing touches on the brand new school, located next to FIU's north campus on 151st Street.
The day wasn't only about education. Zo made one request of the athletic department.
"Please, win the first basketball game."
