Was stationed at Offutt AFB in Omaha, Nebraska when Bill came to UCLA and thought I'd never see him play in person. However, a fraternity brother came through on his way East and had two tickets for UCLA v Loyola of Chicago on Friday evening , 28 January 1972, and Saturday Afternoon, 29 January 1972, at the …
Was stationed at Offutt AFB in Omaha, Nebraska when Bill came to UCLA and thought I'd never see him play in person. However, a fraternity brother came through on his way East and had two tickets for UCLA v Loyola of Chicago on Friday evening , 28 January 1972, and Saturday Afternoon, 29 January 1972, at the "Austin Carr" Coliseum with Notre Dame. Walton played up against Larue Martin of Loyola and it was a decidedly interesting contest with Martin playing Walton tougher than expected. When the game was over, the Bruins tarried on the floor of the Chicago Stadium and I got a chance to brashly walk up and shake Walton's hand. He was cordial and very friendly but didn't know me from Adam (nor should he have) and wanted to hit the locker room and showers. The next day was a frantic game against Notre Dame and the despised Digger Phelps who took every opportunity to pump up his pathetic team. As the game grew out of control for the Irish by 20 points or so, Phelps had them go into a full-on four corner offense MIDWAY THROUGH THE FIRST HALF. Was so bad that the ND fans booed the coach incessantly for trying to keep the game close. (That was all.) Walton and the Bruins, anxious to get back to Los Angeles from snowy South Bend, hustled off the court, so we fans could not loiter with them as we did in Chicago.
Anyway, my digression is because I am still reeling. I will always remember meeting Walton that night and afterwards my affection for him as he played he way through UCLA. I am so terribly sad today; like a father whose son had predeceased him, it is unbelievable.
We have lost one of the "twin towers" who helped bring UCLA considerable fame and renown.
For those younger here who would like to feel what it was like back when Coach and his players rocked college basketball, here's a very nice article in the vault from SI..
I am in shock! I mean stunned!
Was stationed at Offutt AFB in Omaha, Nebraska when Bill came to UCLA and thought I'd never see him play in person. However, a fraternity brother came through on his way East and had two tickets for UCLA v Loyola of Chicago on Friday evening , 28 January 1972, and Saturday Afternoon, 29 January 1972, at the "Austin Carr" Coliseum with Notre Dame. Walton played up against Larue Martin of Loyola and it was a decidedly interesting contest with Martin playing Walton tougher than expected. When the game was over, the Bruins tarried on the floor of the Chicago Stadium and I got a chance to brashly walk up and shake Walton's hand. He was cordial and very friendly but didn't know me from Adam (nor should he have) and wanted to hit the locker room and showers. The next day was a frantic game against Notre Dame and the despised Digger Phelps who took every opportunity to pump up his pathetic team. As the game grew out of control for the Irish by 20 points or so, Phelps had them go into a full-on four corner offense MIDWAY THROUGH THE FIRST HALF. Was so bad that the ND fans booed the coach incessantly for trying to keep the game close. (That was all.) Walton and the Bruins, anxious to get back to Los Angeles from snowy South Bend, hustled off the court, so we fans could not loiter with them as we did in Chicago.
Anyway, my digression is because I am still reeling. I will always remember meeting Walton that night and afterwards my affection for him as he played he way through UCLA. I am so terribly sad today; like a father whose son had predeceased him, it is unbelievable.
We have lost one of the "twin towers" who helped bring UCLA considerable fame and renown.
For those younger here who would like to feel what it was like back when Coach and his players rocked college basketball, here's a very nice article in the vault from SI..
https://vault.si.com/vault/1995/04/15/the-glory-years-from-1964-to-75-the-bruins-achieved-a-run-of-titles-that-will-never-again-be-duplicated
UGH! Digger!
Digger is (still) a wimp!