Ninth in a series of stories highlighting the academic and community achievements of Rocket student-athletes.

By Paul Helgren, UToledo associate athletic director
 
TOLEDO, Ohio – Like a runner who maps out his route in advance, Alex Kelker has a plan.
 
Kelker, a sophomore on the University of Toledo men's cross country team, has set a goal of graduating from the College of Business and Innovation (COBI) in three years, and then entering graduate school to earn his MBA a year later. So far, he is right on track.
 
Kelker expects to receive his bachelor's degree in the spring of 2022, and then enter graduate school. He hopes to complete the requirements for an MBA by either the spring or summer of 2023. It's a plan Kelker began formulating shortly after arriving on campus.
 
"I talked to one of my former teammates, Josh Oeters, who also was one of my neighbors back home," said Kelker, who attended Lakota West High School. "Josh got his business degree in three-and-a-half years. My academic advisor, Jillian Lehman, told me it would be possible for me to get my degree in three years. I figured if it was possible to get my MBA after that, then I should go for it."
 
Kelker entered college with nine credit hours earned from taking Advanced Placement tests in high school. He calculated that by taking a full course load during summer semesters, he could complete his degree requirements and still have another year of cross country eligibility remaining. He would then be in the MBA program during what would be his senior season of athletic competition.
 
In addition to an ambitious academic load, Kelker has been very involved in extracurricular activities. Collaborative by nature, Kelker is a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC); the Mid-American Council of Student-Athletes (COSA); the Klar Leadership Academy in the UToledo College of Business; and Rocket Rise, a faith-based campus group.
 
"Alex is an exceptional student-athlete and a terrific representation of the values of not just the cross country program and athletic department but The University of Toledo as a whole," said Andrea Grove-McDonough, UToledo director of cross country and track & field. "He is admired by his teammates, incredibly coachable, self-driven, and his work ethic is as good as anyone in our program. He cares equally about his academic goals as he does his athletic ones." 
 
Despite his many commitments as a student-athlete, Kelker has stayed focused on his school work. He said the positive environment in the College of Business and Innovation has helped to inspire him.
 
"In a word, amazing," Kelker said of his experience at UToledo thus far. "Everybody (COBI students) is on the same page, trying to learn as much as possible but also helping each other. The professors are all trying to help you reach your goals. It's been awesome, really."
 
Kelker's academic efforts have not gone unnoticed. Dr. Clint Longenecker, a Distinguished University Professor in the business school, said Kelker is a role model for incoming students.
 
"Alex is a highly motivated and competitive student-athlete who knows when to lead and when to follow," said Longenecker, who has worked with Kelker as part of the Klar Leadership Academy. "He is very emotionally intelligent and he cares greatly about those around him, and is a role model for his servant leadership. He exudes integrity and character in everything that he does and he has a strong desire to invest his life so as to make a real difference in the world."
 
Kelker has athletic goals set for himself, as well. He saw limited competitive action as a freshman last year, but is improving every day. He set a PR in the 5K in a team competition in early September. Said Kelker, "My goals are to make the MAC team (top seven runners on the team) and be part of a team that qualifies for the NCAAs."
 
Of course, the postponement of fall sports due to the Coronavirus pandemic has complicated matters, especially for men's cross country runners. There are four Mid-American Conference schools that sponsor men's cross country but do not also sponsor men's track & field. How those schools will be able to compete during the track season next spring is being discussed by a MAC working group composed of coaches, administrators, medical personnel and student-athletes. Kelker is one of two student-athletes on the committee, which has been meeting by video conference. He said the experience has been very positive.
 
"It's really been a great working environment with a great group of people," Kelker said. "We are encouraged to brainstorm. It's a no judgment zone. As a student-athlete, I want to bring my perspective to the discussion. It's important that we have some kind of cross country season, not just an add-on to the outdoor track season."
 
So for now at least, Kelker and his Rocket teammates have been temporarily diverted from their normal course. But speaking as a person who loves a good plan, Kelker remains positive that a viable solution will be found.
 
"I just really love running," he said. "I just want to be able to run and experience as normal a season as possible. I really think it will happen."

Previous Stories About Academic and Community Achievements of Rocket Student-Athletes
Sept. 15 - Spencer Littleson Using Business Classes to Prepare for Coaching Career
Sept. 10 - Ashton Cassel and Betsy Lueck Perfecting Nursing Craft with Rockets            
Sept. 4 - Chloee Kleespies is Driven to Help Other Diabetic Athletes
Sept. 1 - Stephanie Sherman Follows New Course to Surprising Career Path
Aug. 27 - Amelia Lee Programming Herself for Future Success
Aug. 25 - Competition Breeds Success for Mariah Copeland
Aug. 21 - Eileen Carney Gets Her Teeth into Student-Athlete Experience
Aug. 18 - Bryce Harris Followed His Heart to Find a Career Path