The 2012 Fellowship Open is honoring NBA icon Wayne Embry with the Legends Award for his dedication to bettering Milwaukee both on the basketball court and in the greater community. Embry will receive the award while celebrating the 40th anniversary of becoming the first African-American general manager in all of professional sports with the Milwaukee Bucks.
“He really represents sort of an example of what’s possible,” said John Daniels, Jr., chairman, Quarles and Brady LLP and chair of the Fellowship Open. “And that’s why we really wanted to honor him.”
The Fellowship Open, a charity golf outing that supports organizations working to shape young people, presents the Legends Award each year to an individual who has led a remarkable career and impacted their community with a vision for others.
In addition to Embry’s success in the NBA as a player, general manager and vice president for teams like the Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers, he has served corporate and nonprofit boards of directors and been a youth mentor throughout his entire career.
In previous years, the Fellowship Open has honored Hank Aaron, Willie Davis and Junior Bridgeman.
“What we try to do so that we preserve something for the community is that a portrait of all of these people is displayed in some public place,” Daniels said.
Embry’s portrait is slated to hang in the BMO Harris Bradley Center.
Embry said he appreciates recognition from an organization so invested in advancing the lives of young people.
“Because it’s community service-oriented so to speak it means an awful lot because the Fellowship Open – what they’ve done over the years in contributing back to the community and trying to inspire young people that there is a better way, there are ways to be successful…that’s what we look for in our community but also in the broad community in America,” Embry said. “You’ve got to do whatever you do to inspire young people because they are the future, and you can’t forget that.”
Embry said he holds a lot of pride in his years spent managing the Milwaukee Bucks.
“I have a soft spot in my heart for the Milwaukee Bucks, and I always look in the standings to see how they’re doing and read what they’ve done,” Embry said.
“I’m always proud to say I’m a Milwaukee Buck,” he said.
The Fellowship Open is also recognizing Sande Robinson, Director Emerita of the Educational Opportunity Program at Marquette University and Milwaukee Art Museum trustee, with the Community Leader Award. Both Robinson and Embry are being honored during the Fellowship Open at the Silver Spring Country Club in Menomonee Falls Aug. 17.
