Clayton F. Roth Papers

Clayton F. Roth, a charter member of Oakland Community College professional staff, worked for the College for 35 years. His collection documents his life beginning at his senior year of high school through his retirement from Oakland Community College, as well as his hobbies, interests, and activities.

Born in Chicago in 1938, Clayton F. Roth grew up moving throughout the United States for his father’s job with Ford Motor Company. He attended Waterford High School in Michigan, where he was a nine-letter athlete playing football, basketball, and baseball. His talent and love of sports was carried on to college where he continued playing baseball and football. Roth was a student at Hillsdale College, Michigan from 1957-1962 where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education as well as closed out his senior year of college as Hillsdale’s top scorer and sixth leading scorer in the State for collegiate football.

In 1962, at the end of his senior year, Clayton F. Roth signed with the Detroit Lions professional football team as a free agent after being recommended as a kicker. He joined the Lions at their summer training camp but ultimately decided to pursue his love of teaching and continue his education at Michigan State University for a Master of Arts Degree in Physical Education with a minor in School Administration.

In 1965 Roth was hired at Oakland Community College as an Instructor of Physical Education; one of OCC’s founding staff members. Throughout his tenure at OCC he held various positions including Assistant Dean of Student Activities, Associate Dean of Student Personnel, Physical Education and Science Health Education Instructor. In 1982 Roth was certified as a Defensive Tactics Instructor and began teaching at the OCC Oakland Police Academy in addition to his role as a Professor in the Natural Science Department. Here he would dually remain until his retirement in 2000. During his time at the Oakland Police Academy, Roth taught Basic Police Training and Pressure Point Control Tactics classes. He was repeatedly awarded for serving with distinction.