Many athletes have gone on to represent Ohio State well after college by excelling in professional sports.

While many great football and basketball players come to mind when asked to name OSU sports alumnus, a golfer named Chris Perry should not be forgotten.

Perry certainly does not forget OSU.

His love for the university and the Buckeyes is apparent.

“It’s quite obvious that I wear my Buckeye pride on my sleeve,” Perry said.

Perry competed for OSU from 1980 to 1983 for when the team placed fourth in the NCAA tournament and won the 1983 Big Ten championship.

He was named All-American three times and was college player of the year.

“Chris was a tremendous competitor who went out there and just refused to lose to anybody,” said Jim Brown, who coached Perry at OSU.

Brown said the drive he had then is still with him today.

“I still see that same look in his eye. I know when he is completely focused.”

Perry, who was born in North Carolina, said he chose OSU for three main reasons.

“I wanted to play at a big school in a big city, most importantly though (in) a great program,” Perry said.

Perry tries to stay close to the team by practicing and playing with the current guys.

“The traditions at Ohio State are right up there with any school you try to compare it to,” Perry said.

When on tour Perry said he heasr people yelling “Go Bucks” all the time.

He said there is much alma mater pride on the tour, with players representing their respective schools in various ways.

Perry is known for walking up the 18th green at the Memorial Tournament and waving his Brutus Buckeye head covers in front of the crowd creating a loud frenzy.

Perry was unable to play in the tournament this year due the continued rehab of a wrist injury.

“It was really tough not to play in the Memorial,” Perry said. “I can’t wait to play it next year.”

He hoped to play in the Buick Invitational this weekend, but as of Tuesday he was not listed on the field list.

When he is on tour, Perry said he often speaks to other former OSU golfers, such as John Cook, about Buckeye sports.

“When the Buckeyes were in Final Four in 1999, we were in Jacksonville for a tournament,” Perry said. “We rented a private plane, flew over for the game, and then returned that night.”

Perry has had unique and honorable experiences as a Buckeye fan.

In 1998 he was granted the honor of running on the field with the Buckeye football team.

In 2000 he hosted “Inside the PGA Tour” during the OSU vs. Michigan game at Ohio Stadium.

“It was tough to do that and watch the game. Plus, I kept messing up my lines causing many retakes.”

Perry and his family reside in Powell, Ohio, allowing them to return to campus frequently.

“My family and I attend many football games in the fall,” Perry said.

His wife, Kathy Perry, was a member of the Buckeye women’s golf team and is a graduate of the nursing school.

“He bleeds scarlet and gray, and the guys on the tour know it,” she said.

She believes that Chris is much more mellow than when she first met him. She attributes the difference to the kids.

“He can still be very intense though,” Kathy Perry said.

Their three children Andrew, Emily and Natalie are turning into Buckeye fans and taking an interest in golf, which pleases him greatly, Chris Perry said.

“My daughter likes to wear the cheerleader outfit to the games,” he said.

Family life for Perry is very active.

“It is hard to be away from your family when you are out on tour,” Chris Perry said.

Kathy Perry spoke about their family life saying she doesn’t know any other way.

“Since he has been home because of his injury it has been easier,” she said.

Kathy Perry knows it will get harder when he leaves and starts playing again, but is in full support of him.

“We want him to do this. Plus, we hope to travel with him during the summer some,” she said.

Chris Perry is also a big supporter of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

He is a season ticket holder, and said he hopes Columbus can stay patient with the team because it is going to take a few years for them to get good.

He played hockey growing up, which caused him to like the sport.

Chris Perry also has some well known family members.

His father, Jim Perry, pitched in the big leagues for Cleveland, Minnesota, Oakland and Detroit

His uncle is baseball hall-of-famer Gaylord Perry.

Chris Perry said he has many great memories growing as kid when it comes to his father and uncle and the many famous players he met.

“To me though it was just normal being around those guys. They were family and friends,” he said.