I was but a cub when my father took me to my first college basketball game in 1959, to see Darrall Imhoff and the University of California Golden Bears. We hit the University of California Bookstore beforehand and grabbed some silly mementos. In what turned out to be a championship season ( for the Bears??? ), Imhoff was a presence. At 6 foot 10, and 230 plus pounds, he dominated the middle. Cal won the game, Imhoff scored and blocked a bunch, I got his autograph, and some questionable University of California merchandise.
Big D helped bring the Bears back to the NCAA Finals again in 1960. He was a part of the awesome 1960 Olympic Team ( with Jerry Lucas, Jerry West, John Havlicek, Oscar Robertson, Walt Bellamy, and Terry Dischinger ). He was drafted by the Knicks ( 3rd pick overall - following Oscar and West ).
Sadly, my hero struggled as a pro, and can be best remembered as one of the centers defending Wilt the Stilt when he scored his 100 points.
While he bounced around the NBA, playing with the Pistons and the Lakers to name a few, he was twice named to the NBA All-Star team, and was part of some playoff contenders.
Turns out, his family lives in Chico California, where I went to college. How's that for some fate? Also turns out, the stuff I got at the University of California Berkeley Bookstore back then isn't worth a thing!! But some great memories.
If you're still a Cal fan like I am, after all these years, check out www.logoproducts4less.com for some great Bears goodies. You also might find some good Chico State stuff in there as well!!! They've got it all!!!
Big D helped bring the Bears back to the NCAA Finals again in 1960. He was a part of the awesome 1960 Olympic Team ( with Jerry Lucas, Jerry West, John Havlicek, Oscar Robertson, Walt Bellamy, and Terry Dischinger ). He was drafted by the Knicks ( 3rd pick overall - following Oscar and West ).
Sadly, my hero struggled as a pro, and can be best remembered as one of the centers defending Wilt the Stilt when he scored his 100 points.
While he bounced around the NBA, playing with the Pistons and the Lakers to name a few, he was twice named to the NBA All-Star team, and was part of some playoff contenders.
Turns out, his family lives in Chico California, where I went to college. How's that for some fate? Also turns out, the stuff I got at the University of California Berkeley Bookstore back then isn't worth a thing!! But some great memories.
If you're still a Cal fan like I am, after all these years, check out www.logoproducts4less.com for some great Bears goodies. You also might find some good Chico State stuff in there as well!!! They've got it all!!!
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