11-17-98

CLARK KELLOGG TO ADDRESS AUTUMN QUARTER COMMENCEMENT

	COLUMBUS -- Clark Kellogg will again take to the floor of 
St. John Arena -- but not with a basketball in his hands or as an 
excited senior waiting for his name to be called to receive his 
hard-earned undergraduate degree.  

	Been there, done that.

	Instead, he will be standing proudly behind the podium 
Friday, Dec. 11, addressing some 1,400 graduating students and 
thousands of their friends and families during the 346th 
commencement ceremony at The Ohio State University.

	“It was overwhelming to be asked to speak at commencement as 
I just graduated myself two years ago, having left school to play 
professional basketball,” Kellogg said.  “I felt honored, since I 
came back after 14 years to graduate.”

	As the 1982 Big Ten Conference’s Most Valuable Player, 
Kellogg was 44 hours short of his degree when he left Ohio State 
after his junior season to enter the NBA draft.  He was selected 
eighth in the first round by the Indiana Pacers, and was named to 
the NBA All-Rookie team that same year.  He spent five years with 
the Pacers, with an average of 18.9 points and 9.5 rebounds, 
until a knee injury caused his retirement in August 1987.

	He then began a broadcasting career as a color analyst for 
the Indiana Pacers’ radio network, and for Cleveland State 
University Basketball on WOIO TV-19.  He now works as a college 
basketball game analyst for CBS Sports during the regular 
basketball season and as a studio analyst during “March Madness.”

	“If I had to go in another direction, then this is a great 
fit,” he said.  “I am still around the game -- I get to interact 
with the players and the coaches, and I am still a small part of 
the game.  I am very thankful for this opportunity.”

	Although his professional career is successful, he never 
gave up his desire to earn his undergraduate degree.  He resumed 
classes part-time at Ohio State in 1983 and earned his bachelor 
of arts degree in business management in December 1996.

	“I hope my experience can be a lesson for my children and 
anyone else who sets out to earn a degree or to accomplish any 
goal,” he said.  “I hope to be an inspiration to individuals by 
showing that with hard work and determination, you can accomplish 
anything if you truly put your heart and mind into it.”

	Kellogg plans to address the graduates on issues of 
character and personal development, and the importance of being 
true to yourself and following through with your goals, whatever 
they may be.

	“I hope that my coming back to school says something 
positive,” he said.  “It is not about doing something quickly, 
but achieving what you set out to do.”

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Contact: Tracy Turner, University Communications, (614) 688-3682