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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY
Kansan
Breezy, mild and mostly sunny.
Wednesday
October 13, 1999
Section:
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Vol. 110 : No. 30
For additional coverage about the life of Wilt Chamberlain, go to Kansan.com.
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Vol. 110·No.39
http://www.kansan.com
Lorraine Warren examines the Sigma Nu fraternity house for a spiritual presence. She and her husband, Ed are ghost hunters.
SEE PAGE 6A
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REMEMBERING WILT
Friends react to legend's death
By Chris Wristen
sports @kansan.com
Kansan sportwriter
Sadness fell across the hearts of Jayhawks past and present yesterday after the loss of a legend. Former Kansas and NBA basketball star Wilt Chamberlin died of an apparent heart attack yesterday at the age of 63 at his home in Bel Air, Calif
The Kansas community was shocked by the death of Chamberlain, a man who revolutionized the game of basketball and changed an entire city along the way. He stood tall on the court, 7-foot-1, as well as in the community where he served as an advocate for change. One of the reasons why Chamberlain chose to attend Kansas was because of the steps it had taken toward integration.
"Here in Lawrence — we weren't in the deep South by any means — it wasn't exactly the best place for Black people to play," said Jerry Waugh, assistant basketball coach from 1965-69. "Kansas in the Midwest was one of the first schools to recognize the Black athlete and make every effort to integrate. We just did our best to take care of all of our athletes, some just happened to be Black."
Chamberlain made the most of his time in the University community, and his presence helped integrate the city and change peoples' views. He helped integrate restaurants and other local establishments while making the Black public presence more accepted.
The loss of Chamberlain hit home with many in the community, former teammates and current Jayhawks alike.
Upon receiving the news of his death, many took time to reflect on the man who was arguably the best to ever play the game of basketball
"I think he's the greatest basketball player of all time and his record and statistics would tend to prove that," said Bob Billings, a teammate of Chamberlain in 1957-58. "Bill Russell has no
See JAYHAWKS on page 2A
Wilt Chamberlain goes up for a dunk in a game against Calif., of an apparent heart attack. Chamberlain returned to Kansas in Northwestern, Chamberlain, 63, died yesterday at his home in Bel Air, 1998 to retire his jersey. Photo courtesy of University Archives
No.13 leaves legacy of basketball excellence
Rv Matt Tait
sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
Wilton Norman Chamberlain, perhaps the most dominant basketball player ever to lace up a pair of sneakers, died shortly after 2 p.m. yesterday at his home in Belfair, Calif. He was 63.
A fire department representative in Bel-Air, Jim Wells, told reporters at the house that there were signs that Chamberlain may have suffered a heart attack.
Chamberlain's list of accomplishments is unparalleled by any other basketball player — he not only dominated the era he played in, but he also changed it.
Kansas, Jerry Waugh. "There's no telling how great he could have been with the training the basketball players receive today."
During his NBA career, which spanned from 1890 to 1973, the 7-foot-1 center, known as "Wilt the Stilt," scored 31,419 points, an NBA record until 1984, and grabbed a record 23,924 rebounds while playing for three NBA teams — the Philadelphia and San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers. Chamberlain won two championships and four Most Valuable Player awards and led the league in scoring for seven straight seasons and in rebounding for 11 seasons.
victory against Northwestern. Chamberlain earned two varsity letters at Kansas before leaving to play for the Harlem Globetrotters after his junior season in 1958. He left Kansas with season averages of 29.9 points and 18.9 rebounds per game — tops in Jayhawk history and near the top of the NCAA record books.
Chamberlain, however, probably is most remembered for scoring 100 points in a single professional game, a feat he accomplished in 1962 with the Philadelphia Warriors against the New York Knicks.
Chamberlain's mystique began during his college days at Kansas, where he played from 1955-1956. He dumped in 52 points and ripped down 31 rebounds in his first varsity game, a
"In my opinion, he was the brightest, most intelligent man I've ever known," said Sy Goldberg, Chamberlain's attorney and assistant. "He was really a man for all seasons."
The loss of Chamberlain already has resonated through the basketball world — affecting the lives of Chamberlain's teammates, coaches, fans and family.
Along with his dominating totals on the court, Chamberlain was a well-rounded.
During college, Chamberlain was an civil rights activist, and near the end of his life—after his basketball career—Chamberlain's list of hobbies grew. He learned to speak 15
languages, took saxophone lessons and often called friends to discuss philosophy.
"The shadow of accomplishment he cast over our game is unlikely ever to be matched," NBA Commissioner David Stern said. "We're gratified that in the last few years, the NBA family has had the opportunity to tell him how much his contributions have meant to us."
— The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Aug. 21, 1936 — Wilton Norman Chamberlain was born in Philadelphia.
Wil Chomberbirlin watches the game during the 1957 Final Four game against North Carolina. Photo courtesy of Rich Clarkson
1952-55 — Averaged 37.7 points per game for Philadelphia Overbrook High School. Twice he scored 90 points in a game.
- Dec. 3, 1986 — Makes debut for the Jayhawks. He scored a school record 52 points and snatched 32 rebounds.
Milestones
$ \textcircled{1} $ 1958 — Made his pro debut with the Harlem Globeottlers.
1. **1988-89** — Made NBA basketball for the Philadelphia Warriors; Became one of two players in league history to win the rookie of the year award and the league MVP.
- March 2, 1982 — Scoed an NBA-record 100 points, when the Warriors defeated the New York Knicks 16-147 in Hershey, Pa.
1973 Retired from the NBA.
1978 — Inducted in the NBA Hall of Fame
● Jan. 17, 1998 — Returned to his alma mater to have his jersey officially retired at halftime of a game vs. Kansas State.
- October 12, 1999 — Chamberlain died at his home in Beir-Ail, Calif.
Wilhelm Challenger speaks to crowd when he returned to Kansas. KANSAN file photo
"I couldn't believe he was sitting right there in front of me," T.J. Pugh said.
A locker room of wide-eyed basketball players and their coaches sat in awe. No one spoke. No one moved. No one could take their eyes from the giant looming before them.
Pugh recalls meeting Wilt his sports idol
Just two weeks ago Pugh and I sat with a bunch of sports fans, debating who
was the greatest athlete of all time.
athlete of an time. Pugh shook his head in disbelief at the idea that he had met Wilt Chamberlain — the man who once scored 100 points in an NBA game.
Matt James sports columnist spots@kansan.com
Until two years ago, Chamberlain hadn't returned to Lawrence since he left in 1958. No one was sure why he had declined invitations to view his jersey being hung in Allen Fieldhouse.
We may never know. But on Jan. 17, 1998, as a jam-packed Allen Fieldhouse rose to its feet at halftime to greet the 7-6-1 living legend, all was forgotten.
Was he ashamed of losing the 1957 NCAA championship game to the North Carolina Tar Heels?
Had the racism he had experienced at Kansas tarnished his memories of Lawrence?
It was the 100th year of Kansas basketball, and the timing of his return was straight from a Hollywood film.
But the day before the much-anticipated halftime presentation, with no cameras flashing or tape recorders running, he took the time to meet with the Kansas basketball players in their locker room before practice.
Chamberlain spoke briefly to the Jayhawks about himself—a subject he never shied away from. Then he opened the floor to questions.
So what did former player Paul Pierce ask of arguably the greatest basketball player to ever live? What question had Coach Roy Williams been saving? What did Pugh want to know about a man whose career he saves he had idolized?
"No one could think of anything to say." Pugh said. "We were all in awe of him. He was just so impressive to look at that we couldn't speak. When I shook his hand, his fingers nearly reached my elbow."
Chamberlain looked back across the room, shook a few hands and walked out of their lives forever.
"I regret that so much because there was something everyone wanted to ask him about," Pugh said. "We wanted to ask him about the 20,000 women. Everyone wanted to, but no one would. I just wanted a walk on to say 'Hey Wilt, did you really sleep with 20,000 women.'"
After that day, there was no doubt in Pugh's mind who was the greatest athlete ever.
"He told he could have gone pro in seven sports," he said.
The group of guys sitting with Pugh and I tried to convince him otherwise. What about Michael Jordan, or Babe Ruth, or Muhammad Ali?
The seven sports being basketball, track, bowling, volleyball, boxing, tennis and soccer. A variety of talents that approaches urban legend.
"He's the greatest athlete ever — end of story," Pugh said.
The debate was finished.
Yesterday, Pugh seemed awestruck at the news of Chamberlain's death.
James is a Hugaton senior in journalism.