By William A. Weathers
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson is considered by many to be the greatest all-around basketball player ever. (Gannett News Service file photo) | ZOOM |

One of the University of Cincinnati's best-known graduates - who is considered by many to be the greatest all-around basketball player in history - will be honored next month when he is presented with the school's top alumni award.

The UC Alumni Association will present the William Howard Taft Medal for Notable Achievement to Oscar Robertson at the 2003 UC Day Banquet on Oct. 16 at UC's Marriott Kingsgate Conference Center and Hotel ballroom.

To celebrate Robertson's award, the Oscar Robertson Transplantation Fund has been established at the UC Foundation. The fund benefits transplantation education and research in the Department of Surgery at the UC College of Medicine. The UC Alumni Association will match the first $10,000 donated to the fund.

Robertson, a 1960 graduate of the UC College of Business, is a labor leader, entrepreneur and community activist as well as an organ donation advocate. He is president of Orchem (Oscar Robertson Chemical), ORDMS, and Orpack-Stone, with interests in banking, real estate and media.

Robertson is involved in many charitable and community activities, including the NBA Legends Foundation, NAACP, American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Salvation Army, HOME (Housing Opportunities Made Equal), Boys and Girls Clubs of America, National Lupus Foundation and the National Kidney Foundation.

In 1997, Robertson donated a kidney to his daughter Tia, who had lupus.

During his UC basketball career, Robertson for three years was National College Player of the Year and first team All-American, plus the NCAA's top scorer. He twice led the Bearcats to the Final Four, and after graduation he co-captained the 1960 U.S. Olympic gold-medal team. He played 14 years in the NBA with the Cincinnati Royals and the Milwaukee Bucks, winning an NBA championship with the Bucks in 1971.

Reservations for the awards dinner can be made by calling 556-4344. Cost is $80 per person.

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E-mail bweathers@enquirer.com