Hall of Fame basketball coach Dean Smith said he had goosebumps watching a highlight film on the video board prior to introductions of Kansas University’s basketball players Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse.
“I always wondered what the other team thinks when they see that,” Smith, the North Carolina coaching legend and member of KU’s 1952 national-title team, said.
He was one of eight players and one student manager to return for the champions’ 55-year anniversary celebration weekend.
“It is sensational,” Smith said of the video. “I saw Dr. Naismith. I didn’t see Dick Harp or Roy Williams up there. I saw Larry Brown. I love the fact they recognize all the other coaches.”
Smith, who some feared would be booed because of his role in bringing Williams to North Carolina four seasons ago, was cheered when his name was announced with players Bob Kenney, Al Kelley, Bill Hietholt, Charlie Hoag, Everett Dye, Bill Lienhard, Bill Hougland and team manager Wayne Louderbach.
“I love the way coach (Bill) Self has them playing really hard defensively,” Smith said. “I’ve seen them on TV, but they are sensational.”
Smith said he had fun at a reception at Hougland’s Lawrence residence Friday night.
“It’s the most laughs I’ve had in a long time,” Smith said. “We did this too soon. We had one of these five years ago, not enough stories to tell.”
Oh, there were plenty.
“This group : we are family,” Hougland said. “We just talk about KU and what went on and tell stories about ‘Doc’ Allen. We all have great memories, memories you’d have to be on the team to understand.”
The group missed Clyde Lovellette, who was snowed under in Michigan and couldn’t attend. However, the widow of coach Harp, Martha Sue, did attend Friday’s festivities.
“Clyde was special. All you had to do was get it inside and he’d score,” Hougland said.
Self said he was thrilled to see the ’52 group, especially Smith, a native of Topeka.
“I hope Kansas fans – sometimes the students don’t know because they weren’t born yet – understand KU has produced arguably as good a group of coaches our profession has ever known, period,” Self said. “We should be so proud of that.
“There’s been so much talk, ‘How will fans receive him because I guess he’s a Carolina (guy) and Roy’s a Carolina (guy) now. That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard of. This is your very own – Topeka, Kansas – done unbelievable things. Why wouldn’t you be thrilled he’s back on campus? I know I was, and I know our players were, too.”
Memories of ’57?
Were you at the 1957 national championship game to watch KU and North Carolina in Kansas City, Mo.? If so, we want to hear your stories.
Also, if you have mementos of any kind from that game, let us know, so we can make it part of our 50th-anniversary special coming next month in the Lawrence Journal-World and on KUSports.com.
If so, call Ryan Greene at (785) 832-6357 or e-mail to editor@kusports.com
