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Basketball great Archie Talley speaks to Wood County students

Photo by Michael Erb Former Harlem Globetrotter and basketball great Archie Talley spoke Wednesday at Van Devender Middle School, combining basketball, humor and a positive message to encourage students to value themselves and make the most of their academic careers.

PARKERSBURG — Former Harlem Globetrotter and basketball great Archie Talley is visiting Wood County schools this week, combining a love of basketball with a positive message for students.

Talley has been a motivational speaker since 1984, speaking at schools and youth organizations throughout the United States. His visit this week is sponsored by Wincore Windows and Doors. Talley spoke Wednesday at Jefferson Elementary Center and Van Devender Middle School, and will speak today at Lubeck and Fairplains elementary schools, and Friday at Jackson Middle and Madison Elementary schools.

Talley’s career, which began at Salem College in Salem, W.Va., included time with the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets, as well as the Harlem Globetrotters. During his 10-year career in Europe, he scored 116 points in a single game.

In 1988, he was inducted into the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.

Talley said his message is one of self-worth, determination and respect.

“We as adults need to keep reminding these children that they are important, they are valuable,” he said. “Once young people realize they have things that make them valuable, they begin to value themselves.”

Jefferson Elementary counselor Aaron Ellis helped bring Talley to Wood County and selected the six schools Talley is visiting this week. Ellis and Talley met and became friends during their time at Salem College and through their love of sports.

“Forty years later, we’re still communicating,” Ellis said.

Ellis said youths face a myriad of challenges, from drugs and crime to domestic violence and poverty, in addition to the rigors of growing up. Ellis said in Jefferson Elementary, the majority of students have witnessed first-hand acts of violence, people being arrested and homes being thrown into turmoil.

“I’ve told these students, ‘You have seen things that I don’t let my children watch on television,’ “ he said. “What they need to see is people who are successful, who have good, positive messages for them. It’s important for them to have someone like Archie come in and tell them they can be successful.”

Talley said he also encourages students to show respect for teachers and parents.

“I feel I’m an excellent role model, but I’m not going to feed you tonight. I’m not going to hold you when you feel sick,” he said. “I reinforce what teachers are telling them every day, what parents are telling them every day.”

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