Oh no! I didn’t realize he had cancer. What a shock. Walton was truly a great Bruin and human being. I loved the way he always saw the best in humanity. Rest in peace, Bill. You will surely be missed.
There was a talk Bill was scheduled to give on campus at the James West Alumni Center in early March that was cancelled with short notice and no explanation as well... As you said, tragically now we know why
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..
Shocked and saddened to hear of the news of his passing. Bill Walton left us with a lot of fond memories on and off the court. He definitely brought the "color" to color commentary on UCLA basketball broadcasts. I wonder what Coach Wooden might be saying to him about wearing tie dye T-shirts when covering games for the Bruins. RIP, Bill Walton.
Someone once described Bill as a unicorn among unicorns. He was a gem and a fabulous representative of UCLA, both on and off the basketball court. Will never forget some of his notable quotes- Saved by the tiny chairs. The bench is the coach's friend. Referring to the Transfer Portal as the Tinder Portal and Joe Lunardi as "that clown". Rest in peace, Big Red. We will miss you.
Honestly, I feel like I can't find the words 💔😢 UCLA Basketball will never be the same without Bill Walton. Coach Wooden will be there, waiting for him 🙏
As an Asian American high school kid in Madison, Wisconsin, Pac 8 basketball games transfixed me. Whenever UCLA played on weeknights, homework was never the order of the day, the priority. To this day, I remember the final bruin home game against USC. An early spring blizzard blanketed my neighborhood with heavy snow. Few people ventured out and traffic was non existent. Everyone stayed home. Yet mine was bustling with noises and activities because I had managed to sweet talk my mom into letting some of my buddies come join me watching the game. My mom was a homework and study hard lady when it comes to raising me. But my trump card with her always worked, provided that I was careful not to deploy it too frequently. I cleaned my room. I cleaned my bathroom and finished everything on my breakfast plate every day leading to game night. Yes, she would say okay but don't make too much noise. That was the deal.
Of course when the game started, everything was off. We were in heaven, cheering for every basket. One play stood out in my mind to this day. USC stole the ball. The Trojan player dashed down court in lightening speed with the rest of the bruins, stunned by the turnover, trailing behind. Then suddenly, Walton caught up with his huge strides, leaped forward and blocked the layup from behind. In slow motion replay, Walton's head was almost above the basket as he swiped the ball away with his out stretched long arm.
If my bedroom erupted in total delirium, imagine how Pauley would be at that moment. Then my mom opened the door. Everyone of us, all white kids except me, played guilty and said in unison " sorry mom ". She understandably nodded and closed the door again, never bothered us anymore.
Such was part of the indelible memories of my formative years in Wisconsin watching Bill Walton. To put money where my mouth is, I went westward and became a bruin in Walton's senior year. He was my hero, my idol then and he remains one to this day. Walton lives on forever in my heart.
Clearly one of the greatest college players of all time, as a pro - a parallel career to Gale Sayers, Sandy Koufax, and Bobby Orr - an all-time great who had a clear hall of fame career yet who's health never allowed the heights that could have been reached - though as someone who cared more about being a great teammate he'd probably dispute that characterization... Far more importantly, as a person, someone who was most interested in making and leaving the world a better place and who was absolutely always true to who he was and what he believed and represented - may we all be so fortunate to deserve that as an epitaph.
For all the wonderful moments he gave us as a player at UCLA and with Blazermania and his commentary (which was always serious when teams played well enough to deserve it - and didn't insult our intelligence when it wasn't, leaving room for education rather than telling us what we could clearly see) I'll always remember him walking to Lot 8 after a broadcast carrying his specially-made chair to his car, clearly in pain - yet a pain that never crept into his enthusiasm for the game he called or the life he was living. He called himself "the luckiest guy who ever lived" - I think we were the lucky ones that we were around Walton's World
Today we lost one of our best human beings ever. His gregarious nature, overwhelming intelligence, and the joy of life lived within him. He was always one of my favorite broadcasters to listen too because of his historical knowledge. Often he would Irritate is co- broadcasters because he was just too smart for them. He will be missed. To one of the best who played the game, we love and respect Bill Walton
Bill's longtime partner Dave Pasch posted a series of tweets yesterday, which will absolutely crack you up. I know they brought a smile to my face as well as a chuckle.
For that matter, if you aren't on Twitter (aka X.com), go there and do a search for Bill Walton. The stories people are sharing are amazing and fantastic. Heck, even if you are on Twitter, you should go there.
I've never seen twitter so flooded with love for a person, and even more that it's coming from so many areas - UCLA, NBA, broadcasting, cycling, music, social justice, and so many personal stories from people that met Bill. It shows the true measure of the man that he touched so many people through so many venues.
RIP
John Canzano has a great piece about Walton.
https://www.johncanzano.com/p/canzano-bill-walton-is-dead-at-71
It is a great tribute. I shared my respects there.
Oh no! I didn’t realize he had cancer. What a shock. Walton was truly a great Bruin and human being. I loved the way he always saw the best in humanity. Rest in peace, Bill. You will surely be missed.
I don't think anyone did.
When he missed a bunch of Pac-12 games he was supposed to call back in February, there was no mention why. Now, we know.
There was a talk Bill was scheduled to give on campus at the James West Alumni Center in early March that was cancelled with short notice and no explanation as well... As you said, tragically now we know why
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!
ESPN2 is now replaying The Luckiest Guy in the World.
RIP Big Red you will be remembered!
And Happy Memorial Day, Might Bruins!
Shocked and saddened to hear of the news of his passing. Bill Walton left us with a lot of fond memories on and off the court. He definitely brought the "color" to color commentary on UCLA basketball broadcasts. I wonder what Coach Wooden might be saying to him about wearing tie dye T-shirts when covering games for the Bruins. RIP, Bill Walton.
Someone once described Bill as a unicorn among unicorns. He was a gem and a fabulous representative of UCLA, both on and off the basketball court. Will never forget some of his notable quotes- Saved by the tiny chairs. The bench is the coach's friend. Referring to the Transfer Portal as the Tinder Portal and Joe Lunardi as "that clown". Rest in peace, Big Red. We will miss you.
Honestly, I feel like I can't find the words 💔😢 UCLA Basketball will never be the same without Bill Walton. Coach Wooden will be there, waiting for him 🙏
As an Asian American high school kid in Madison, Wisconsin, Pac 8 basketball games transfixed me. Whenever UCLA played on weeknights, homework was never the order of the day, the priority. To this day, I remember the final bruin home game against USC. An early spring blizzard blanketed my neighborhood with heavy snow. Few people ventured out and traffic was non existent. Everyone stayed home. Yet mine was bustling with noises and activities because I had managed to sweet talk my mom into letting some of my buddies come join me watching the game. My mom was a homework and study hard lady when it comes to raising me. But my trump card with her always worked, provided that I was careful not to deploy it too frequently. I cleaned my room. I cleaned my bathroom and finished everything on my breakfast plate every day leading to game night. Yes, she would say okay but don't make too much noise. That was the deal.
Of course when the game started, everything was off. We were in heaven, cheering for every basket. One play stood out in my mind to this day. USC stole the ball. The Trojan player dashed down court in lightening speed with the rest of the bruins, stunned by the turnover, trailing behind. Then suddenly, Walton caught up with his huge strides, leaped forward and blocked the layup from behind. In slow motion replay, Walton's head was almost above the basket as he swiped the ball away with his out stretched long arm.
If my bedroom erupted in total delirium, imagine how Pauley would be at that moment. Then my mom opened the door. Everyone of us, all white kids except me, played guilty and said in unison " sorry mom ". She understandably nodded and closed the door again, never bothered us anymore.
Such was part of the indelible memories of my formative years in Wisconsin watching Bill Walton. To put money where my mouth is, I went westward and became a bruin in Walton's senior year. He was my hero, my idol then and he remains one to this day. Walton lives on forever in my heart.
RIP Bill Walton. Legendary Bruin and a great ambassador to the four letters! He will be greatly missed but his memory will shine bright for all of us.
Clearly one of the greatest college players of all time, as a pro - a parallel career to Gale Sayers, Sandy Koufax, and Bobby Orr - an all-time great who had a clear hall of fame career yet who's health never allowed the heights that could have been reached - though as someone who cared more about being a great teammate he'd probably dispute that characterization... Far more importantly, as a person, someone who was most interested in making and leaving the world a better place and who was absolutely always true to who he was and what he believed and represented - may we all be so fortunate to deserve that as an epitaph.
For all the wonderful moments he gave us as a player at UCLA and with Blazermania and his commentary (which was always serious when teams played well enough to deserve it - and didn't insult our intelligence when it wasn't, leaving room for education rather than telling us what we could clearly see) I'll always remember him walking to Lot 8 after a broadcast carrying his specially-made chair to his car, clearly in pain - yet a pain that never crept into his enthusiasm for the game he called or the life he was living. He called himself "the luckiest guy who ever lived" - I think we were the lucky ones that we were around Walton's World
Rest in paradise, Big Red
This one hurts, he'll be missed so much. More than basketball or being a fun announcer, he seemed to truly enjoy living his life.
Today we lost one of our best human beings ever. His gregarious nature, overwhelming intelligence, and the joy of life lived within him. He was always one of my favorite broadcasters to listen too because of his historical knowledge. Often he would Irritate is co- broadcasters because he was just too smart for them. He will be missed. To one of the best who played the game, we love and respect Bill Walton
I loved his playing and always positive nature. As tributes flow in I am gaining great respect for him as a person.
Bill's longtime partner Dave Pasch posted a series of tweets yesterday, which will absolutely crack you up. I know they brought a smile to my face as well as a chuckle.
https://twitter.com/DavePasch
For that matter, if you aren't on Twitter (aka X.com), go there and do a search for Bill Walton. The stories people are sharing are amazing and fantastic. Heck, even if you are on Twitter, you should go there.
I've never seen twitter so flooded with love for a person, and even more that it's coming from so many areas - UCLA, NBA, broadcasting, cycling, music, social justice, and so many personal stories from people that met Bill. It shows the true measure of the man that he touched so many people through so many venues.