By Walker Post
Lane students erupted in applause after watching Jason McElwain’s (J-Mac) video from 2006 in which he scored 20 points in three minutes and 12 seconds. On Nov. 7, McElwain spoke in Lane’s auditorium, his 98th motivational speech.
McElwain is diagnosed as having high-functioning autistm, but this has not stopped him from being a competitor. He played all kinds of sports as a kid, but had a real passion for basketball. McElwain would spend hours playing outside his house until his parents had to yell at him to get inside.
“When I was playing by myself I was dreaming of making the winning shot,” McElwain said.
McElwain had tried out as a sophomore for basketball at Greece Athena High School in Rochester, NY, but was never good enough to make it on the team. He was only five foot six at the time.
“I didn’t like being different,” McElwain said. “I wanted to be just like everybody else.”
McElwain’s coach, Jim Johnson, admired McElwain’s passion, so he gave him a job as the team manager. McElwain loved being part of the team and could consistently be seen on the sideline cheering on his companions during games.
He always wore a white shirt and black tie, claiming to be ‘superstitious.’ One game he wore a yellow shirt with a black tie and the team lost. So he went back to his old routine.
Throughout the season, he became a figurehead of Athena’s basketball team.
Senior Night would be McElwain’s pivotal moment of greatness. Johnson told McElwain he would play if the team were up by a comfortable lead. In the last quarter, he was put into the game and the crowd went into a frenzy. Fans cheered McElwain on by holding up signs with his name on it and cutouts of his face.
McElwain missed his first three-point shot and lay-up, but his teammates continued to pass him the ball. He followed up on the two missed shots by hitting six three-pointers and two free throws. Each time he scored, the stadium went wild in excitement. After the buzzer, the crowd rushed onto the court, hoisting him on their shoulders. The game highlights were soon broadcasted on ESPN, turning McElwain into a national celebrity.
McElwain’s video went viral and he soon found himself shaking hands with famous people like President George W. Bush, Peyton Manning, and Magic Johnson. He was awarded “Best Moment in Sports” in 2006 at the ESPY Awards.
McElwain has used his story to become a motivational speaker and an advocate for Autism Awareness. He currently is an assistant coach for Athena’s Track and Field team, and also has a job as a baker at a supermarket. He recently completed the MVP Health Care Rochester Marathon in three hours, one minute and 41 seconds, which qualified him for the 2014 Boston Marathon.
His life has been hectic as a motivational speaker, but that has never stopped McElwain from doing what he loves most: coaching and playing basketball.
McElwain met Mr. Logalbo, Lane’s head basketball coach, at Snow Valley Basketball School three years ago when they were put together as roommates. Both were helping coach the incoming athletes. Lane basketball players attended this camp as well and impressed McElwain enough to want to come speak at Lane. Logalbo recalls McElwain waking up everyday at 5 a.m. and bringing unparalleled energy to the court.
“I’ve never met someone who has inspired me more,” Logalbo said.
Although McElwain is living his dream everyday, he hopes to one day be a head coach of a college basketball team.
In his speech to Lane students, McElwain shared several humorous stories. In his last few minutes on the stage, however, he took a more serious tone, and addressed students who did not have disabilities.
“Invite [special education students] over to your lunch table or invite them to a basketball game,” McElwain said. “Accept them for who they are.”
