Hometown rally

Jet, April 29, 2002

In Baltimore, Juan Dixon of the NCAA champion Maryland Terrapins speaks to hundreds of fans as his aunt, Baltimore City Council President Sheila Dixon, waits to present him with flowers at a rally to honor his team in front of City Hall. The MVP of the Final Four spoke of the road that took him from a troubled youth in Baltimore to become a championship winning, All-America athlete (JET, April 22).

"It's a special day, something that I've dreamed of for a long time. We were able to accomplish something special for the state of Maryland." Dixon also spoke about how fortunate his family has been since the loss of his parents who died from AIDS. "We're a tight family, and I'm sure we're going to continue to be tight," he said. "I had a long journey and I got through a lot, but I stayed strong. Always believe in yourself."