Chamberlain Again True to His School

Wilt Chamberlain, ending a mysterious 40-year separation from the school where he was a dominant force in college basketball, brought an overflow crowd at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kan., to its feet Saturday when Kansas retired his No. 13 jersey at halftime of its game with Kansas State. The Jayhawks won, 69-62.

It was the first time Chamberlain had been back to Lawrence since 1975, and his only official appearance since he left school in 1958 following Kansas’ bitter triple-overtime loss to North Carolina in the NCAA championship game his junior season.

The sellout crowd of almost 17,000, many wearing “Wilt” shirts and holding signs welcoming him back, applauded for almost 60 seconds when Chamberlain walked onto the court wearing the Kansas letter jacket he won in 1957.

“Forty years ago I lost a heartbreaking battle, losing to North Carolina by one point in triple overtime,” he told the crowd. “It was a devastating thing for me because I felt like I let the university down, I let KU down.”

At that point the crowd interrupted him, yelling, “No, no,” then resumed another long, standing ovation.

” . . . But to come back here today and feel the appreciation and the love and the warmth. . . .”

He stopped again, drowned out by another loud burst of applause.

“I’ve learned in life,” he concluded, “that you have to take the bitter with the sweet, and how sweet this is. I’m a Jayhawk and I’m proud to be a part of the tradition here. I’m very proud to be.”

Then, to more applause, he ended his remarks with the traditional Kansas cheer, “Rock-chalk Jayhawk.”

Chamberlain still holds several Kansas records, including career averages in scoring (29.9 points) and rebounding (18.8), and points in a game (52).

Chamberlain had rejected all previous invitations to come back to Kansas to be honored, and has not explained publicly why he stayed away.

“Wilt coming back has been the buzz around campus ever since we got back from Christmas break,” said Damon Miller, a 21-year-old senior. “I think he probably was bitter because of the racial discrimination he was subjected to around Lawrence and Kansas. Things like that can scar a kid. But I think it’s all right now.”

Chamberlain had nothing but positive things to say about Kansas in his weekend stay, including an entertaining 50-minute news conference Friday.

Said Athletic Director Bob Frederick: “I think it sets the record straight about some of the rumors that maybe Wilt was disenchanted with the University of Kansas or the coaches. That is certainly not the case. He’s proud to be a Jayhawk.”

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Texas El Paso honored Coach Don “The Bear” Haskins for becoming the 10th major college coach to win 700 games by giving him an all-expense paid fishing trip to Alaska and a stuffed grizzly bear.

The bear, caught by the taxidermist in full snarl, was wheeled onto the court of the Don Haskins Center under a tarp during halftime of Texas El Paso’s 62-50 victory over Nevada Las Vegas. As it was unveiled, Haskins--known for his menacing countenance--actually seemed to recoil, eliciting cheers from the 9,000 in attendance.

Haskins reached 700 victories when Texas El Paso defeated Southern Methodist, 66-64, on Jan. 3, but commemoration of the milestone was delayed until Saturday at his request.

Athletic Director John Thompson said the bear will eventually be the centerpiece of a room at the Haskins Center that will be filled with memorabilia commemorating Haskins’ career.

It might be noted that one thing will be missing, however.

During the halftime presentation, someone perched one of Haskins’ hats on the bear’s head. “That bear’s not going to keep my hat,” Haskins said. “That’s one of my favorite hats.”

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Coach Wayne Szoke, who led Monmouth to its first NCAA tournament berth two years ago, resigned before the team’s 85-57 Northeast Conference loss to Fairleigh Dickinson (13-3, 6-1) at West Long Branch, N.J.

Szoke, 58, had a 167-120 record in his first 10 seasons but Monmouth was 1-13 when he stepped down. Dave Calloway, a former Monmouth player and Szoke’s top assistant, was named interim coach.