Former Ky. Wildcat Rodrick Rhodes hired by HCTC

Rodrick Rhodes, a former Kentucky Wildcat and NBA player, is a new KCTCS Fellow at Hazard Community and Technical College. He will work with students and employees on health and wellness initiatives. In addition, he will assist with admissions and student mentoring programs.

He will also working as Cordia s head boys basketball coach.

HCTC President Dr. Steve Greiner said, Rhodes has a lot of wonderful ideas in terms of recruiting and retaining students and he looks forward to seeing those ideas implemented. Rodrick brings enthusiasm to a job that is very diverse and I know he s up to the challenge for the many different roles where he will be serving.

Rhodes noted, I have traveled abroad internationally and domestically and have extensive experience working with diverse groups of people. I have worked with individuals that have had to overcome great adversity, as well as had the unique privilege of working with extremely successful people. Being a former UK basketball player, I want to give back and hope to connect with and share my experiences with the HCTC students. HCTC has a great reputation of working together and I m glad to be part of the HCTC team.

His experiences include being recruited to play UK basketball from 1992 to 1995 by then-coach Rick Pitino. He then went on to the University of Southern California where he earned a bachelor s degree in History. In the NBA, Rhodes played three seasons with the Houston Rockets, Vancouver Grizzlies, and Dallas Mavericks and after his career ended in 2000 he went on to play in professional leagues overseas.

Rhodes was an assistant coach at the University of Texas Pan-American, and was previously an assistant coach at the University of Massachusetts and an Administrative Assistant Coach at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. In 2005, he was an assistant coach at St. Edward s University in Austin, Texas and after enjoying a successful season there, he moved on to become an assistant at Idaho State University.

Rhodes looks forward to bringing his passion and enthusiasm to HCTC and working to recruit and graduate HCTC students.