University of Minnesota Athletics
Black History Month: Connell Lewis
2/21/2019 5:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
In honor of Black History Month, Gopher Athletics is celebrating those who made us great. Throughout February, GopherSports.com will share short interviews with African-American alumni from various Gopher programs. In these interviews, former student-athletes reflect on their time at the U of M, provide advice to current Gophers and share what Black History Month means to them personally.
Connell Lewis
Sport: Basketball
Years: 1986-90
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
Occupation: Pastor
What is it you miss most about the University?
I miss the fellowship of my former teammates and the other students. I miss the freedom of being in college and competing athletically.
If you could give the current student-athletes any piece of advice, what would it be?
I would tell the student-athlete to think about life after their sport. I would encourage them to think about their ultimate purpose and what they are created to do to positively influence society. Life has so much more in it than the sport that we play, and the student-athlete should be looking forward to enriching the world in many different ways.
What was your favorite university or athletic event you've attended since you graduated and what made it so special to you?
I have attended many basketball games and my favorite experience was the honoring of Coach (Clem) Haskins and my fellow teammates during our 25-year anniversary of the Sweet Sixteen. I am very happy that I was a part of that team and the accomplishments that we achieved.
What are you grateful for?
I am grateful for many things especially the fact that I earned a scholarship to a Big Ten school and competed at the highest level of collegiate sports. I am grateful for Coach Haskins who taught me about life after basketball and being a product part of society. I am also grateful that I learned through sports, that I could achieve anything that I set my mind to do. Again, I have a lot that I am grateful for.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History means that African Americans have accomplished a great deal in America and across this world. We have achieved great things spiritually, socially, racially, economically, and in every other area of society. I am blessed by Black History Month because it reminds me that no matter how tough things may feel or seem, I have inside of me the ability to achieve greatness in this world. The plight of Blacks in America has been a great overcoming. We have overcome the mark and degradation of slavery, we have overcome discrimination and psychological abuse of the slave master, we have overcome the lack of educational opportunities, we have overcome many trying times in America. Black History Month is a reminder to me, that Black Americans are Overcomers.
What occupies your time now?
Currently, I am a Pastor, Husband, Father, Musician, and Lover of Jesus Christ.