Greg Kelser, a basketball television analyst for Fox Sports Network-Detroit and a
member of Michigan State University’s 1979 national championship basketball team,
will be a featured speaker at Ferris State University on Wednesday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.
in IRC 120.
Ferris’ Sports Communication program and the Sports Careers student organization welcome Kelser to campus this fall to highlight its Sports Speakers Series. Kelser, a TV analyst for Detroit Pistons FSN-Detroit games as well as college games on the Big Ten Network, will speak on “More Than a Game: Basketball’s Transferrable Lessons.” As part of his visit to Big Rapids, Kelser will host an autograph and book-signing session. His book, “Gregory Kelser’s Tales from Michigan State Basketball,” will be available for purchase before and after the event.
“I am very pleased to have the opportunity to address students and members of the Ferris State University community,” Kelser said. “It is an honor, and I look forward to the challenge of inspiring and motivating all who attend to realize the champion that resides in all of us.”
Kelser’s visit is in conjunction with Career Week on campus and is co-sponsored by Ferris’ Career Services Office.
Sandy Alspach, a professor of Communication at Ferris, is looking forward to Kelser sharing his story of breaking into broadcasting and motivational speaking for the students in the new interdisciplinary Sports Communication program.
The spotlight has been even brighter on Kelser since the publishing of his book.
“I thoroughly enjoyed writing ‘Gregory Kelser’s Tales From Michigan State Basketball.’ This was my chance to provide my audience with an in-depth look at myself and my drive to help Michigan State University to its first national championship in the sport of basketball,” he said. “I included fascinating, funny and sometimes painful glimpses into the everyday challenges that were a part of the chase for a common goal.”
Kelser believes readers will enjoy behind-the-scenes stories of legendary former Spartans head coach Jud Heathcote and what it was like to play with one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the sport, Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Additionally, Kelser hopes readers are inspired to find “that the threads that bind and can propel a group of athletes to remarkable heights are essentially the same that holds the keys to success in most any endeavor.”
Kelser grew up as the son of military parents and attended 10 schools throughout the United States and Okinawa, Japan before settling in Michigan. He graduated from Detroit’s Henry Ford High School and earned a basketball scholarship to play at MSU.
As a Spartan, Kelser was named an All-American as a player and a first-team Academic All-American for his efforts in the classroom. Along with Johnson, he captained the Spartans to the 1979 NCAA championship. He was the fourth player chosen in the first round by the Detroit Pistons in 1979 and played six seasons in the National Basketball Association.
Today, Kelser provides color analysis for Fox Sports Detroit’s coverage of the Pistons and the Big Ten Network. He has worked in many broadcast capacities since 1986, and the Gregory Kelser Basketball Camp has grown in popularity in the Detroit area since 1978.
Kelser is a veteran public speaker. He has provided corporate motivational and keynote addresses around the country, including the 1998 Spring Graduation Commencement address at Michigan State University where he received an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities.