American, 1973
• 1972 Academic All-America® First Team
• 1973 Academic All-America® First Team
Kermit Washington was inducted into the CoSIDA Academic All-America® Hall of Fame in 1993.
Kermit Washington grew up as a blue-collar athlete always dreaming about becoming an NBA star. Although he was a bench warmer until his senior year of high school, Washington grew into a skilled defensive forward. He played basketball at American University and his junior year was offered $400,000 to quit school, but he chose to earn his degree. While at American, he earned a 3.7 GPA and graduated with a degree in psychology in 1973.
Washington was selected in the first round of the 1973 NBA Draft by the Lakers. During an on-court fight on Dec. 9, 1977, he received the unwanted reputation of being an ‘enforcer,’ after punching opposing player Rudy Tomjanovich in the face. He was traded later that season to the Boston Celtics and eventually sent to the San Diego Clippers. In 1982 he ended his playing career with the Portland Trailblazers. Washington’s incident made him the scapegoat for NBA’s recurring problems with violence.
Following his infamous NBA career, Washington moved on to bigger and better things. He founded a charitable organization called Project Contact. After a visit to war-torn Rwanda in 1995 Washington resolved to help however he could. Project Contact brings medical relief to Nairobi, Kenya sending doctors, nurses and other volunteers to areas with very little of life’s necessities. Since its onset Washington has returned 24 times to Kenya, serving as a communicator between the players and coaches of the NBA.
Washington brought his work back to his alma mater through study aboard programs and most recently for a fasting fundraiser. “Starving for the Hungry" was a fundraiser at American University October 1-5, 2008.
After Washington’s career with the NBA, he stayed connected to the sport and work toward humanitarian needs. He believes “Helping starts the moment you make contact.”