By BFS
ON EDUCATION Mike Brown: Graduated in 3 1/2 years from George Washington University. Degree in Criminal Justice. Had a 2.9 GPA.
Jim Les: Received degree from academically tough Bradley in Finance with a 3.0 GPA. Jim’s goal is to be a currency trader at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Jim Farmer: Majored in management and is only 9 hours short of his degree. Jim vows, “I will go back to Alabama in the offseason and finish my degree.”
Darrell GrifÏth: Received degree from the University of Louisville in 4 years with a major in TV Broadcasting. Darrell had a 3.2 GPA in College and in his senior year was selected as one of the top five student athletes in the nation.
Bobby Hansen: Had a 3.9 GPA in High School and at the University of lowa maintained a 3.0 GPA. Bobby earned a degree in Business Administration in only 3 1/2 years. Bobby states, “My initial goal was to take heavier loads early. | wanted that degree. | knew | wasn’t going to get drafted first. The coaches at lowa stressed your education.”
Eric Leckner: Fourteen hours short of his degree at the University of Wyoming. Eric has earnest plans to go back next summer and finish. “However, this summer,” states Eric, “I’m going to stay in Salt Lake City to lift and play ball.” Jose Ortiz: 24 hours short of his degree at Oregon State University. “But, | plan to go back because my NBA career is not going to carry me forever.” John Stockton: “Do first things first,” advises John. “My education was paid for. | took advantage of that. An education is something you'll always have. To make it in the NBA is one ina million. Get your degree! After I graduated from Gonzaga, I had a chance to go with several nice businesses before the draft.
You can’t rely on luck.” Mark Eaton: Received trade school degree and an Associates degree from Cyprus Jr. College. After his first year with the Jazz, Mark got his Real Estate license because of the possibility of getting cut.
Marc Iavaroni: Received an Economics Degree from the University of Virginia. Marc states, “It’s very easy to get wowed by Pro sports. Unfortuantely, there isn’t much publicity on those who don’t make it or only play a couple of years. I’m not worried. I've got my degree and business contacts. Life after the NBA won't be easy but I’ve developed a good work ethic.” Mare stayed with it and earned his degree 8 years after college. Thurl Bailey: “It was tough for me to get my hours of classwork my last year at North Carolina State. We were a long time in the NCAA Tournament (N.C. State won) and then the draft.” Thurl has gone back in the summer three times to attain his degree.
He’s now very close . Karl Malone: Karl left Louisanna Tech one year early to turn Pro with the Utah Jazz. He had trouble with grades in high school and in his freshman year at college. He majored in elementary education. “In my sophomore year, I finally realized the importance of my grades and education. I buggered down and got a 3.2 GPA. 1 won't go back and finish my degree because [ found out that I don’t want to be an elementary teacher. I found out that I like law enforcement so I became a certified cop in the off-season. Now I’ve got something to fall back on.”
From BFS Magazine — Summer 1989. Part of the BFS Magazine Archive (1980–2014).
