Contact: Bob Lee

August 9, 2005

ATHENS, Ohio - Fred Cluff, 59, of Athens, was killed in a two-car accident on U.S. 33 just south of the Fairfield County line at approximately 11:20 a.m. on Monday. The former Ohio basketball and baseball player was pronounced dead at the scene by personnel from the Hocking County Coroner's Office, according to published reports.

In the vehicle with Cluff were his wife and three other passengers. Medics flew his wife, Marsha, and her daughter, Andrea Athens, 32, of Oklahoma, to the Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus for severe head injuries. Athens' two children were transported by helicopter to Children's Hospital in Columbus and were treated and released.

"This is a real tragedy to our community and university," said Bobcat baseball coach Joe Carbone, who played alongside Cluff for the Green and White. "He's been a big supporter and fan of Ohio Athletics and was very involved in a lot of things. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Marsha, her daughter and her daughter's children for a speedy recovery."

Penelope Carroll, 35, of New Baltimore, Mich., the driver of the other vehicle, was treated at the scene. She had no serious injuries.

Forty years ago, Cluff arrived in Athens as a 6-7, 230-pound forward for the Bobcat basketball team and right-handed pitcher for the Ohio baseball squad.

The Hillsboro native averaged 8.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game in 1965-66 as a sophomore, 11.8 points and 7.6 rebounds in 1966-67 as a junior and 10.1 points and 7.0 rebounds in 1967-68 as a senior. Despite missing the last seven games of his senior campaign due to an ankle injury, Cluff still was named to the Mid-American Conference All-Academic Team.

In a Bobcat baseball uniform, Cluff pitched one inning during the 1966 season and appeared in 10 games during the 1967 campaign. He had to sit out the entire 1968 season after suffering the basketball injury.

"Fred was a real competitor as a basketball player and as a baseball player," said Carbone. "He was a student of both games. He remained good friends with me and with many others associated with both programs."

A few years after graduating from Ohio University with an economics degree, Cluff opened Baron Men's Store in 1972 with business partner Dwight Pugh and still operated the popular clothing spot on Court Street in Athens at the time of his death.