I had the chance to reach out to one of our favorite former Red Raider basketball players, Clark Lammert. A great guy on and off the court, and a truly excellent representative of our student-athletes. I asked if we could catch up with him about his playing days at Texas Tech, this upcoming season, and what he has been up to since ending his basketball career. I wanted to hear about how he was doing, and get his story out to all our Red Raider fans. Of course being the nice guy that he is, he agreed to a Q&A with Staking The Plains.

 

Dan: As a high school student-athlete in San Antonio looking at colleges to attend, what attracted you to Texas Tech University?

Lammert: Coming out of high school I had interest from division III and a few division II schools but Billy Gillispie gave me an opportunity to walk on at Texas Tech. I was scheduled to visit Texas A&M the weekend after I visited Texas Tech but I ended up committing and not taking a trip to College Station. The chance to play in the Big 12 Conference at the highest level attracted me to Texas Tech. As a 12 year-old I went to Bobby Knight’s Texas Tech basketball camp… I never thought I’d end up playing basketball here.

Dan: You had the unique experience of playing for three different head coaches while you were part of the Red Raider basketball program (Gillispie, Walker, and Smith). What motivated you to stay at Texas Tech as part of the team when all these head coaching changes were occurring?

Lammert: Like my former teammate Toddrick Gotcher has often said, “You commit to the school, not to the coach.” I made a commitment to represent Texas Tech University the right way on and off the court. I felt a responsibility to the fans and the Lubbock community to finish what I had started. I was always proud of the ones that weathered the storm and stuck it out all four years, myself, Luke Adams and Toddrick Gotcher.

Dan: As a Red Raider player, what was your most memorable moment being part of the basketball team?

Lammert: My most memorable moment would have to be beating Oklahoma State at the buzzer on Senior night. To go out with a win in my final game in the USA will stick with me forever.

 

Dan: What is your relationship with Tubby Smith? And, were you surprised by his departure for Memphis?

Lammert: I had a great relationship with Tubby Smith. It was an incredible experience playing for a hall of fame coach. Coach Smith did great things for Texas Tech and Red Raider basketball. He left our basketball program in great shape.

Dan: As a student-athlete for Texas Tech you garnered some elite recognitions and awards, like the Texas Tech Athletics Good Citizen Award and the Big 12 Sportsperson of the Year. How great was it getting honored for these recognitions?

Lammert: Those awards were a testament to what Texas Tech University has done for me. I am glad those honors provided Texas Tech with positive publicity. These accolades signified an accumulation of hard work over four years. As a student-athlete I was given an incredible platform to inspire change. I tried to use my position as a Texas Tech basketball player to have a positive impact on the community.

Dan: How was your experience as a congressional intern in Washington, DC?

Lammert: I had an incredible experience representing Texas Tech in the United States Capitol. I was able to serve Senator John Cornyn, the Majority Whip Leader in the U.S. Senate. Learning how our country is run and seeing that we have great leaders who care about the well-being of its citizen was rewarding.

Dan: Life after being a basketball player, what are you doing nowadays in terms of work? It looks like you are still a part of Texas Tech and helping out with the Red Raider Club.

Lammert: I am currently living and working full time in Lubbock. I do fundraising for the Red Raider Club. We raise money for all student-athlete scholarships as well as facility projects and upgrades. I am very passionate about giving back to this athletic department and its student-athletes.

Dan: This season is a big deal for our Red Raiders with new head coach Chris Beard taking over at the helm. What type of product do you think we are going to see on the court this upcoming season?

Lammert: I think we will see a very hard working and competitive team. Under coach Beard we will see discipline and defense. I am excited for basketball season and I look forward to seeing my former teammates continue to grow and succeed.

Dan: Who on the current roster do you think will impress or standout that we should watch for?

Lammert: I think this team is extremely talented across the board. With our returners and newcomers, I look for us to be a very experienced, deep basketball team. Aaron Ross had worked hard this off season and lost a good amount of weight which I think will help him on the court. I also like Anthony Livingston, a skilled post player that can score.

Dan: Do you see the postseason as a realistic possibility for our team at the end of the regular season?

Lammert: Absolutely.

Dan: Last but not least, what does it mean to you to be a Red Raider?

Lammert: I am proud to be a Red Raider. Texas Tech University has done a lot for me. Lubbock, TX has made me a man and I am forever indebted to the friends and mentors that have impacted me along my journey.

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A huge thanks to Clark Lammert for taking the time with us here at Staking the Plains! We appreciate all you have done in being a great role model for student-athletes everywhere. It is an honor to call you a fellow Red Raider. Wreck ’em Tech!