Q & A with Keith Ferguson

Keith Ferguson ended his football career this past fall ranking sixth in career receptions (202) and ninth in total receiving yards (2,576) in Ivy annals. Both those totals also rank him first in Cornell history.

Tell us a little bit about your background, where you are from, what your major is and how you came to the Ivy League.

I'm from Southeast Washington, D.C. I grew up in Southeast from the age of two until I was 14. Afterwards, I moved to Fort Washington, Md., with my father. At Cornell, I am an Applied Economics & Management major with a specialization in Food Industry Management. Basically, I study business. The Ivy League showed an interest in me during my junior year of high school. Yale sent a letter after we won the state championship in basketball. During my senior year, even more schools showed interest as I lead our football team to the state title.

Was there a time when you thought, "Hey, I could go to an Ivy League school" or was that always in your mind?

I never envisioned myself at an Ivy League school until I started getting letters. Never was there doubt about grades or ability to perform on this level academically, but the fact was that no one from my school went to the Ivy League. The only exception was a guy on the track team, Cliff. Moreover, I really didn't know too much about Ivy League football.

What perceptions did you have about the Ivy League when you first arrived?

Revenge of the Nerds!! I came in expecting pocket protectors, cardigan sweaters, and snobbery. I just figured that almost everyone would be square.

How have those perceptions met with reality?

Well, some of it was true. Cornell is unique. It is a little more blue-collar here. Other schools may be different, but I was completely taken aback at how the students rewarded themselves for their hard work. Thursday was the beginning of the weekend. It was here that I learned the phrase 'Study hard, play hard.' This being said, there still were a good amount of people in the library on the first day of classes. I learned that there is a good mix of the expected and unexpected in the Ivy League.

What about going to an Ivy League school most appealed to you?

Of course the education and network is a seller, but I was interested in the challenge. Everyone was going to be as smart and the environment was unlike any other I've experienced before.

As an African-American, what experiences have stood out to you about adjusting to college in the Ivy League?

Being the minority for once stands out. Also, just understanding the people of other races. For a time, I couldn't understand their slang; and they couldn't understand my accent. The ways we had fun were different. Culture shock is the best way to explain it. Fortunately, in sports you have teammates to take you under their wing. I had Edgar Romney, Deon Harris, and Phil Riguer. They had been through it before and always offered help in any way, shape, or form.

Since you've been in college, what have been some of the most memorable moments for you as an athlete and a student?

My first everything are what stands out. I had three catches for 99 yards and we beat Princeton in my first game. I got my first collegiate post-game interview. To make it sweeter, I found out that the 99 yards were in freshman single game record. Believe it or not, losing to Dartmouth my freshman year and Penn my sophomore year really stand out. Both losses cost us a share or outright possession of the title. The best memories are the big comebacks against Harvard and Brown. Those comebacks coupled with breaking the school yardage and receptions record are the most memorable. As a student, my Martial Arts films of Hong Kong writing seminar will forever be with me. Also, my first set of final exams are memorable because Cornell has a tradition where everyone runs around or screams out of their windows at midnight.

What historical figure do you admire most and why?

Brud Holland. After not being interviewed or offered a job due to racism, to go on and earn a doctorate degree, become U.S. Ambassador, university president, and first black director of the New York Stock Exchange says something. Just so happens that he was a Cornellian.

Who had the biggest influence on you as you grew up? Why?

By far, my father had the biggest influence on me as a child. He is the person that put the baseball bat, football, and basketball in my hands and showed me how to use each of them. Not only was he a coach, but he was a legend live in the flesh. In our apartment, his trophies lined the shelves and filled every box in the closet. Grown men would watch me play and recall how good my father was. Athletic prowess and popularity aside, he was an example of the right way of doing things.

In an age of ultra-glorification of athletes and sports, what would be the best advice you could give to a middle schooler about the value of education, and the best role for sports in their education?

To understand that the League doesn't happen for everyone. Only one percent make it. Therefore, it is imperative to focus on academics. Make the honor roll. Make the dean's list. Like an old man told me, "Squares win in the end." This is not to say that sports are meaningless. In fact, they are essential. Sports allow you to travel the world and do all types of things. Use sports to gain experience and build your stock, but do not neglect your books. Sports will get you to the door, but your grades get you in.

What would be the best advice you could give to a young African-American who has aspirations to attend an Ivy institution?

Go all out! On the field and in the classroom. The community is important as well. Whatever you do, don't jeopardize yourself by trying to be someone you're not.

***Please note, this story was written for a previous Ivy League Black History Month celebration. It is reproduced here for archival purposes and has not been updated.***