
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 4, 1990                   TAG: 9007040191
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-11   EDITION: HOLIDAY 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE:  MILAN, MICH.                                 LENGTH: Short

RODMAN SPEAKS TO INMATES

There was no robe, no pomp and circumstance, no honorary degree.

Dennis Rodman of the Detroit Pistons came to the Milan Federal Prison dressed more for a pickup game than a commencement speech.

But Rodman, the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year, was there to speak to the 57 inmates receiving degrees through Cleary College's prison extension program.

"You guys should be proud of yourselves," Rodman told the graduates on June 20. "You may not be getting out this year, or the next, or in the next five. But this diploma is going to help you."

Dressed in shorts, black T-shirt, sneakers and a black baseball cap with the words, "Pistons Champs: Back to Back," Rodman urged the graduates to keep working toward a return to society.

Seven years ago, Rodman spent two weeks in jail for stealing 20 gold watches in his hometown of Dallas. Since the watches were recovered, all the charges against Rodman were dropped.

by CNB