Prosecutor brings Archie Talley to schools
Basketball great inspires local students
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

Students at Batesville, Jac-Cen-Del, Milan, and South Ripley junior/senior high schools heard motivational speaker Archie Talley on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 11 and 12, in a message that challenged them to take charge of their lives and believe in themselves.

Sponsored by Ripley County Prosecutor Ric Hertel, the program highlighted Talley's philosophy that young people need to believe in themselves and work hard for success. "Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something," Tally told his young audiences. "You can do it!"

Highlighting his talk, Talley showed the young people his skill with the basketball. In 1976 he was the Associated Press College Division "Basketball Player of the Year" and was also first team All American for both the Associated Press and NAIA.

He was the leading basketball scorer in the nation with a 41.1 points-per-game average in 1976 and was also the leading collegiate basketball scorer in West Virginia history.

In addition he was the all-time single-season scoring leader in NAIA history with a total of 1,349 points. Drafted by the New York Knicks (NBA) in 1976, Talley played with the famous Harlem Globetrotters, then with the New Jersey Nets (NBA) in 1977.

Tally played professionally for 10 seasons in Europe, scored 116 points in a single game in Germany in 1978, and was inducted into the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 1988.

His fast-paced message to the students involved their participation as well as some of the faculty members. Throughout the hour-long program he kept their attention by using his own athletic talent and showmanship that added up to a dynamic presentation they won't soon forget.

Speaking on the Ingredients of Life, Talley gave four proven ways that work for success in life: confidence, determination, hard work, and sacrifice. He encouraged good nutrition, physical fitness, avoiding alcohol, drugs, and tobacco for good health and clean living.

Talley was born in Washington, D.C., but chose to attend a small college in West Virginia. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Human Relations in 1976 from Salem College in Salem, WV, and his Master of Arts Degree in Education in 1989.

He has been a nationally known motivational speaker since 1984, visiting schools, civic and professional organizations as well as events. He founded and continues to operate the "Archie Talley Basketball Camp" since 1977.

At the conclusion of his talks, he answered students' questions and presented them with autographed pictures of himself.

The main comment from students who listened attentively during his presentation was that Archie Talley was "cool. The time really flew by. We weren't ready for him to quit."