CELEBRATING 60 YEARS!
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##KU coaching legends to gather in Allen Fieldhouse for Oct. 27 program.
WOULD LOVE TO BE THERE FOR THIS
Former Kansas University basketball coaches Ted Owens, Larry Brown and Roy Williams will gather with current coach Bill Self on Oct. 27 on Allen Fieldhouse’s James Naismith Court to share memories with fans as part of the program, “Celebrating 60 Years.”
Ticket information will be released in early September.
The four coaches, who have guided the Jayhawks over the last 50 years, will enjoy a night speaking about KU basketball and the fieldhouse, which this season celebrates its 60th season.
Proceeds will go to Self’s Assists Foundation as well as the other three coaches’ favorite charities.
“Only at Kansas do we get to celebrate a milestone such as this, bringing four living legends together to honor our history and our legacy,” KU athletic director Sheahon Zenger said.
Noted SELF: “For 115 years, Kansas has been a standard of excellence for our sport. There aren’t very many places — if any — where you can invite back the last four coaches who have led the program for the last 51 years to celebrate an anniversary like this one. This is such a special place. Kansas Athletics has really made this a unique event, using the money to benefit the charities that mean a lot to each of us. I know the fans will enjoy it and I will be honored to be a part of it.”
Said WILLIAMS: “Sixty years in one phenomenal arena — wow! That has been the site of some unbelievable victories and accomplishments of one of the greatest home-court advantages in the history of college sports. The tradition of Kansas basketball is a tradition of success and Allen Fieldhouse has been a great part of that. The Jayhawk faithful make it almost impossible for the opponents every night. Coaching in that arena is a real treat and I loved it. I’m ecstatic to be part of this anniversary celebration.”
Said BROWN: “The years I spent at Kansas were an incredible time in my life that I will always cherish. The people I got to know, the players who were part of the program and the coaches who worked with me will always be a big part of my life. I am thrilled to be included in this celebration. I can’t imagine a place being more special than Allen Fieldhouse. It was such a great opportunity to coach in that environment. And coming back to KU with Bill Self as the head coach always makes me smile after having the opportunity to coach alongside him.”
And noted OWENS: “I am honored to be a part of the Kansas basketball family. I really look forward to spending the time with these three men for whom I have the greatest respect. I also look forward to being back with our great Kansas fans.”
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I wanted to hate Roy Williams so badly after he left here (and I think I actually did for a little while) but - DADGUMMIT - I find myself still liking the guy. No matter that he left, he still did way more good than harm for Kansas basketball.
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This is the living myth in action.
During what at times appears a reign of terror against the right way guys in college hoops, during a time the Empire appears to strike back for the wrong way, the living myth of KU Basketball is balm in sneaker Gilead.
This is KU Basketball healing and uniting as it carries on.
This is KU taking Roy back in the fold BEFORE he is done recruiting against us, because he appears to be being preyed on at UNC in what appears a power struggle for control of UNC HOOPS SOUL AND REVENUES.
This is THE GREATEST BASKETBALL COACH OUTSIDE OF WOODEN, LARRY BROWN, an old man come back to the greatest game ever invented at SMU and being outrageously snubbed by the NCAA selection committee and losing his star recruit conspicuously and KU Basketball manning up and saying, “look…here…the wronged great one is still recognized here.”
This is Ted Owens, the man we wronged, being invited back yet again to continue paying back our debt to him.
This is Bill Self, maybe the one to top them all getting out of his own moment and limelight and being a part of the legacy and the myth.
The living myth of KU Basketball–not the money-- is still everything that once was good about college basketball that could be again.
I only wish one of Dick Harp’s descendants would be invited to stand up with these four men to close the circle of men who carried Phog Ball and James’ Game beyond Doc Allen.
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Coach Williams brought KU back to the elite level, so it is hard not to like and respect what he did. I did not have a problem with him leaving; I did have a problem with the way he left and most of that blame falls on Dean Smith who really betrayed his Alma Mater.
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I’m glad Coach Williams is coming back. I had such a heartache when he left and thought it was a great loss for KU. I’m very happy Coach Self took over and think no one better presently, but I also think Coach Williams made tremendous contribution during his 15 years. He was a great ambassador for KU too.
Welcome back, Coach Williams!
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“Coach Williams brought KU back to the elite level, so it is hard not to like and respect what he did.”
I give that credential to Coach Brown (and Coach/Player Manning). But Roy was valuable, too, as he kept Brown’s momentum here for a long run!
It is hard to not like and respect any legacy Jayhawk!
“Once a Jayhawk…”
