Sources: Reggie Britt, hanestour2000@hotmail.com;
and Donald Mrozek, 785-532-0377, mrozek@k-state.edu
Photo available. Contact media@k-state.edu or 785-2535.
News release prepared by: Rosie Hoefling, 785-532-2535, media@k-state.edu

Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2010

BASKETBALL PLAYER, ACTOR RETURNS TO K-STATE FOR HIS DEGREE

MANHATTAN -- Reggie Britt's resume already reads professional European basketball player and accomplished model and actor. Come December he will add Kansas State University graduate to the list.

Britt, senior in social sciences, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has returned to K-State nearly 20 years after he left to complete the 15 remaining credit hours he needs to earn his degree.

A former K-State basketball player, Britt put his college education on hold to play professional basketball in Portugal.

"I'll never forget it," he said. "K-State made it to the NCAA basketball tournament both years when I was here. My senior year we played in Indianapolis and got beat by Xavier in the first round.

"As I sat on the bench it almost felt like my life had ended. I had been playing ball all my life, and it was just kind of over. I was thinking what am I going to do? Obviously, I still wanted to play. Long story short, I found an agent, and he got me a job in Europe."

Britt moved to Florida after playing five seasons in Europe and began working as a real estate agent. When the market declined because of the economy, he found his way into modeling and acting.

Since then Britt has been featured in multiple print advertisements and television commercials for Home Depot, Harley Davidson, Verizon, Icy Hot, Nike, Red Stripe, StarKist Tuna and more. He's also had small acting parts in TV shows such as "The Glades," "Burn Notice" and "One Tree Hill," and in the feature film "Confessions of a Shopaholic."

"It's a humbling profession because more times than not you hear 'no' before you hear 'yes,'" he said. "It's tough booking the work, but then again, once you get a job it kind of motivates you to continue to try. It's been fun."

Although he's experienced success in his career, Britt said he always wanted to return to college and complete his degree. Since summer is the off-season for actors in Florida, Britt decided this summer was the right time to go back to school. The decision about which university to attend was an easy one, he said.

"I bleed purple seriously. I know it sounds kind of corny, but it's true," Britt said. "I look at this place as home. I could've done it down in Florida, but I thought it would be really be cool to come back to campus and get it done here. I'm so glad I came back."

K-State' s Donald Mrozek, professor of history and Britt' s history of sport instructor this summer, said he believes Britt is an inspiration to faculty and a role model for other students.

"He wants to come back because it will help fulfill him personally," Mrozek said. "He's not here because he has to be -- he's here because he wants to be. I can't tell you how heartening that is for a faculty member."

Britt said the experience has been amazing so far. He encourages anyone who has put his or her education on hold to pursue it to the utmost.

"If there's a will, there's a way," he said. "If I can go back, anybody can. In life it's all about timing, and now was the perfect timing for me. If you have it in your heart to go back and finish, why not?"

Britt will have six credit hours to complete during the fall semester. After graduating he would like to pursue a career coaching basketball at the collegiate level.

Along with the possibility of a new career, Britt said finally having a degree will enhance his credibility and attest to his dedication -- not to mention, elevate him to K-State alumni status after 20 years in the making.

"I can actually wear a K-State shirt that has alumni on it," Britt said. "I know it sounds kind of silly, but it's the truth. I've seen those shirts that say 'KSU Alumni,' but I couldn't wear things like that because I didn't want to be hypocritical. Come December, I can get a shirt that says 'Alumni,' and that will be really cool."

More information about Britt and his career in acting and modeling is available at http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3365572/.