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Commencement Ceremonies: Words of Farewell and Calls to Conscience
University of Massachusetts: An Earned Degree for Dr. J., Plus an Honorary Doctorate
From The Associated Press, as seen in The New York Times, 5/26/1986

Julius Erving, the Philadelphia 76ers star, finally got his college degree today, to the delight of his mother and thousands of other new graduates at the University of Massachusetts.

“I hope Dr. Erving does not decide to run for governor,” Gov. Michael Dukakis told the crowd of 25,000 people after one of several ovations for the basketball star, who is known as Dr. J. “If he does, I'm through.”

Earning the bachelor's degree fulfills a promise that Mr. Erving, who is 36 years old, made 16 years ago when he dropped out of the university with just one year to go to begin his professional career with the American Basketball Association.

“I needed to fulfill a commitment I started in 1968 and to fulfill a promise I made to my mother,” he said.

Mr. Erving completed his degree work over the last year and a half through the University Without Walls program, a curriculum for adults who are unable to attend traditional college classes because of work or family commitments.

He said the degree would help him “speak with more credibility to young people in general and to my own children in particular.” He also received an honorary doctorate of laws.

excerpt from…
Erving Keeps His Promise, Gets College Degree
From News Services, as seen in The Washington Post, 5/26/1986

National Basketball Association star Julius Erving finally got his college degree, to the delight of his mother and thousands of other graduating students at the University of Massachusetts commencement yesterday in Amherst, Mass.

“I hope Dr. Erving does not decide to run for governor,” Gov. Michael Dukakis told the crowd of 25,000 after one of several ovations for the Philadelphia 76ers forward. “If he does, I'm through.”

With the degree in leadership and administration, Erving, 36, fulfilled a promise he made 16 years ago when he dropped out of the university with just one year to go to begin his professional basketball career with the American Basketball Association.

“I don't need the degree to go forward with the present endeavors with which I am involved, but I feel personally that I needed to fulfill a commitment I started in 1968 and to fulfill a promise I made to my mother,” said the 76ers' captain.

Erving was among 4,324 students to receive undergraduate degrees at Massachusetts and one of a half-dozen worthies to receive an honorary doctor of law degree.

Erving completed his degree work over the last year and a half through the University Without Walls program, an individualized degree program with a curriculum designed for adults who are unable to attend traditional college classes because of work or family commitments.

He said the degree will help him “speak with more credibility to young people in general and to my own children in particular.”

'Dr. J' gets diploma
From UPI, 5/26/1986

AMHERST, Mass. – Julius Erving, the Philadelphia 76ers' star forward known to sports fans as 'Dr. J,' got his bachelor's degree 15 years after dropping out of school after his junior year to play professional basketball.

Erving, 36, received his degree Sunday in leadership and management from the University of Massachusetts.

Erving, who earned his degree through the state's University Without Walls, an independent studies program, also won an honorary degree for his contributions to sports, civic activities and charity.

'In my naivete I thought it would take me one semester,' said Erving before the commencement ceremony. 'It ended up taking me three. I feel very gratified about having done it.'

'For my children this is lending more credibility to my encouraging them to want to receive an education after their high school years,' he added.

Erving left UMass to join the now-defunct American Basketball Association (ABA) and has played for Philadelphia for the past decade.

He said he was lured away from his studies by financial guarantees and a promise that the ABA would quickly merge with the more established National Basketball Association.

'I was told there would be a merger between the two leagues in five months, and the merger didn't take place for five years,' he said. 'I enjoyed the five years, but nobody likes being deceived.'

Erving, whose on-court creativity is one of the NBA's main attractions, said academics required an equal amount of '(my) creative juices, which were growing a little stale.'