Clements Comedy Café
11:30 a.m.: Registration and Networking
11:45 a.m.: Buffet Opens
12:15 p.m.: Meeting/Program
Jesse A. "Tony" Clements
Mr. Clements is originally from Raleigh, North Carolina. He attended the University of Illinois where he was a member of both the basketball and football teams. He received his Bachelor’s Degree (1971) and Master’s Degree (1972) in Recreation and Park Administration. Upon graduation, he joined the staff of the Division of Campus Recreation at the University of Illinois; in 1979, he was promoted to Director of the Division, which is the position he held until retiring in January of 2009.
Tony is very active in the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA), having served as President of that organization in 1988-89. He was presented the Association’s most prestigious recognition, the NIRSA Honor Award, in 1996.
Over the years, Tony has been heavily involved in a variety of philanthropic efforts. Since 2001 Tony has emceed, hosted, or been part of planning for fundraising events grossing over five million dollars on behalf of local, state, and national charities. In 2002, Tony won the Chancellor’s Academic Professional Excellence Award in acknowledgement of his administrative performance on behalf of the University of Illinois. In 2003, Tony was named the recipient of the Monsignor Edward J. Duncan Service Award. This award is presented annually to a University of Illinois “football letterman” who has displayed exemplary dedication to his community, state, and country. Former winners of the award include Tim McCarthy, Tony Eason, and Dick Butkus.
On a lighter side, one of Mr. Clements favorite past times is doing standup comedy. He appeared for “Showtime” (the cable movie and entertainment channel) as part of its Funniest Man in America Contest. Tony has also performed with comedian Sinbad, emceed shows with Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin, and has been the opening act for Jerry Butler and Ray Charles. In 1998, Tony was asked to be the warm-up act when President Clinton and Vice President Gore visited the University of Illinois.
