Last Updated on November 21, 2011 by Jimson Lee
Remember the story last month on Roger Black and how he chose athletics over academics? By failing one course changed the path to his destiny?
Black trained at Surrey university’s campus gym before competing in the Olympics, and thus it is great to hear he has been given an honorary degree from the University of Surrey.
If there is one piece of advice I can give anyone, more than anything else, it’s going to College or University. And graduating. I don’t care what you major in, just go through the process of 4 years on HOW TO THINK. How to plan. How to prepare.
While you are at it, join the Varsity Track team! Kevin Young, the WR holder for 400 meter hurdles, and 1992 Barcelona Olympics Gold medalist, was a walk-on at UCLA as a 110m hurdler! The others were on scholarship!
I know way too many people without College degrees and they have this stigma of insecurity and always try to one-up you on how smart and successful they are. The less they know, the more they talk!
At least now Roger Black can put on his degree on his resume.
To repeat a NCAA TV commercial, “Don’t be Stupid, Stay in School!”
Former British Olympic athlete Roger Black has been given an honorary degree from the University of Surrey.
Black has a close association with the university, based in Guildford, and did his weight training at the campus gym before his international successes.
Career highlights included winning silver medals in the 400m at both the Olympics and World Championships and two European Championship gold medals.
Black, who lives in Guildford, received his degree at Guildford Cathedral.
He said: "It’s a great honour. The university has played a great part in my success and I am pleased to continue our good relationship."
And commenting on the £35m Surrey Sports Park at the university, which opened last year and will be used by Olympic teams next year, he said: "The Surrey Sports Park is phenomenal.
"It’s just a fantastic facility and of great benefit both to local people and the university."
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