Section C • Page 8
The University Daily Kansan
Friday, February 26, 1999
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Former player reflects on KU days
2329 Iowa·841-4124
By Mike Miller
Kansan sportswriter
There was a time when an athlete's dominance could be measured by the number of nicknames the press gave the athlete.
Babe Ruth had no less than 20 nicknames. Joe Djaggio, Muhammed Ali, Wilt Chamberlain — they all had several nicknames that fit their character and the way they dominated their respective sports.
Clyde Lovellette never asked for all the nicknames. But he earned them as the dominating college player of his day.
"I used to wonder, is it admiration? I always thought they were affectionate, and I never got annoyed with them," Lovellette said. "Even when they were things like the Ponderous Pachyderm of the Plains."
More nicknames, like Cumulous Clyde, the Leaning Tower of Lawrence and the Monster of the Music Hall, affirmed Lovellette's status not only in Lawrence, but in college-basketball lore.
Lovellette, who led Kansas to its first NCAA Championship in 1952, never would have made it to Lawrence had it not been for the legendary Phog Allen.
"Being from Indiana, everyone expected me to play basketball there. It was only 60 miles from my home, and I probably would have if not for Phog. He was like a father to me." Lovellette said.
Allen traveled to Terre Haute, Ind., to visit Lovellette and enticed him to visit Lawrence. It was that visit that convinced the 6-9, 230-pound behemoth to attend KU.
"Phog was very personal and very up front with me. I appreciated that. But when I got to Lawrence, it amazed me how nice the people there were," Lovellette said. "Even if I didn't play basketball, I think they would've liked me anyway."
Allen knew a prized recruit when he saw one. Lovellette led the Jayhawks in scoring and rebounding three straight years — freshmen were not granted eligibility until 1972.
"He had a sweeping hook shot,
and at 6-9 he was much bigger
than most of the players in those days," said Max Falkenstein, longtime radio announcer for the Jayhawks. "He was not particularly quick, but he had great touch and accuracy on his shot."
His hook shot allowed Lovellette to become the first dominant player Kansas would have.
Lovellette averaged 28.4 points per game his senior year and is still the only player to lead the nation in scoring and win the national title in the same year.
During the NCAA Tournament,
Lovellette led the way as the Jayhawks steamrolled every opponent, winning by almost 15 points a game. He averaged 37.7 points per game during the tournament, including 33 points and 17 rebounds in the title game.
A three-time All-American and All-Conference selection, Lovellette was voted the national player of the year in 1952.
That 1952 tournament run, in addition to the Olympic gold medal he won that same year, remains one of his fondest memories of college.
Clyde Lovellle drives to the hoop against St. John's in the 1952 national championship game. Kansas defeated St. John's 80-63 for its first national title. Photo courtesy of University Archives
"I think winning the national title and the gold medal in the Olympics is a crowning achievement for any school," he said.
Lovellette is the No.2 all-time scorer in Kansas history at 24.5 points per game and the No.7 rebound with 10.6 rebounds a game.
His dominance in the college game served as a muse for then sports information director Don Pierce.
"He was a very colorful writer who seemed to have an endless amount of nicknames for Clyde," Falkenstein said.
The nicknames followed Lovellette, even after he finished his career at Kansas and after 11 seasons in the NBA.
"I thought they were great. They just carried over everywhere I went." he said.
Basketball gave Lovellette the opportunity to do what he wanted. After retiring from the sport, he worked as a radio announcer for an Indiana sports station, earned his teaching degree from Eastern Illinois, then ran a friend's auto dealership. Then, he fulfilled a lifelong dream and was elected Sheriff
of his home county, Vigo, Ill.
"I always wanted to do law enforcement. It had been a childhood dream." Lovellette said.
Later he moved to Cape Cod and taught school there and managed an antique store. He then retired and moved back to Wabash, Ind., where he now lives.
Today, Lovellette substitute teaches and coaches basketball as a local legend.
"It's great to be able to do things for the kids. I can call the Pacers, ask to speak to Larry Bird, leave a message and have good seats waiting for me at the next home game. Then I'll give them to some neighborhood kids," he said.
As a living legend who earned
every nickname as a dominant player, Lovellette said he has enjoyed everything he has done with his life. He admitted that he always would have a special place in his heart for Kansas.
Lovellel said he watched the Jayhawks whenever he could, and he remains a faithful Jayhawk — even in the heart of Big 10 country.
Though he admits that this year's Kansas team is not as dominant as it has been in years past, he said he thought that they would come around.
"Roy's too good of a coach. He'll get those kids to play together by the end of the year," Lovellette said.
—Copyedited by Liz Wristen
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