V 1 N. 29 Old Memories of Wilt the Stilt

 

Cruising through one of my Tuesday must stops, the Value Village, where Tuesdays are 30% off for seniors I saw a book that conjured a few memories.  Co-Authored by Wilt Chamberlain about his basketball and post NBA life in many lanes.   I grabbed it to see if there were any track and field photos and there were.   And being the cheapskate that my wife and children know me to be I got out my phone and purloined a few photos from the book.

                  My money is not on the Brussels World's Fair as claim in the caption.   Any suggestions?  I also don't believe he is 54 inches off the ground.  

One was the familiar picture of Wilt in a standing up jump in front of a high jump bar.  Not sure where it was taken.  He claims Brussels  (That's in Belgium).   Stands are almost empty, so it perhaps wasn't Franklin Field ,and the stadium looks a bit big to be the old football stadium in Lawrence, Kansas.   Anyway it was there in the book.  

                              Sorry again to dispute claims, but he was not undefeated in the Shot Put, check article link below.

A second track pic I had not seen before shows Wilt in his high school uniform cranking up to throw the shot.  He claims to be self taught.  What coach would be a specialist in teaching or advising a seven-footer to throw the shot?  Anyway if he can get untangled from this seemingly awkward stance, get a half step across the ring, and unleash with full extension, he might get it out there.  The knees apart look as if he might be contemplating doing a spin, well before its time.

In his college days Wilt got a gig, probably in the Adirondacks at a place called Kuetcher's as a bell boy.  Picture below is the line up.  He claims he made $3000 for the summer which was damn good money in those days before NIL.  Standing next to Wilt is another 7 footer,  Bill Uhl of the University of Dayton.  I remember Bill Uhl from my high school days growing up in Dayton, OH.  He was a second team All American but never played a game in the NBA.  He was drafted by the Rochester Royals but decided to become an insurance agent in Dayton and did that for many years.  He fathered a 6'10"  son, Bill Jr. who also played very well for the U. of Dayton.    In the book there is mention of Bill Uhl but it is cut off in the picture.  His name is misspelled  as Bill Yule and having played for the Daytona Flyers, also a bit off. Only a hardcore Daytonian would have caught that error.

In 2023 I did a post on Wilt and there are a lot of other clippings to jog your memories.  Here is the link:

Wilt Chamberlain on Once Upon a Time in the Vest

When competing for Kansas in the Big 8 indoor meet in Kansas City, he may have played an afternoon basketball game in Lawrence then travelled the short distance to Kansas City to high jump the same day.

I didn't buy the book.  If any of you want it, let me know and I will return and get it for you and mail it at cost $15.00 plus postage.  No guarantee on tariffs.  

George