Luke Witte, Former OSU & Cleveland Cavaliers basketball player

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Lakeside is honored to welcome Luke Witte, former Ohio State University and Cleveland Cavaliers basketball player, this summer. Witte will speak on Tuesday, June 21 and Wednesday, June 22 and lead a basketball clinic on Tuesday, June 21. Witte’s appearance is supported by Bob & Cindy Grimm. 

Lectures

His lectures will take place from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in Orchestra Hall. On Tuesday, June 21, Witte will share highlights of his career and calling, both to basketball and to ministry.

On Wednesday, June 22, as part of ‘Social Justice Week,’ he will discuss the historic brawl between the OSU and Minnesota basketball teams, the worst fight in college sports history, including video footage. The story of the profound reconciliation between the players is especially relevant in 2022, marking the 50th anniversary of this tragic event.

Basketball Clinic (ages 7+)

During his visit, Witte will also lead a basketball clinic (ages 7+) from 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, June 21 at the Bettinger Park basketball courts. No registration necessary.

Luke Witte

Having been ordained as a minister in Hoover Auditorium at Lakeside, Witte is recently retired as Division Director for Marketplace Chaplains for North and South Carolina. His main responsibilities included recruiting and training chaplains while developing and encouraging chaplain teams in both ministry functions and spiritual enrichment.

After graduating from OSU, Witte was selected in the fourth round of the 1973 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He played with the team for three years before traveling overseas to play in Switzerland and Italy.

He received a Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. His passion is pastoral care, but he also enjoys woodworking and traveling with his wife, Donita. They share three adult children.