Watch This Now!

[Bird Friend]

I will admit my ignorance to '70s '80s ISU ball...I was a Southside kid with an Uncle that played for a tourney team that lost to a helluva Michigan team under Coach Ray @ DePaul and considered walking on there or to UIC for hoops but became a lifetime 'Bird instead.

Seeing the Horton stuff is electrifying. God, I wish I could have been there...


I will never understand the Donewald dismiss: strictly administrative? His record, Getting RA, Huh?
Caveat: The next comments are just on face value...Never met the man, but Pedon seems like a Porter/Bender guy.
No one wants to be more wrong than me. I hope it works Me and my daughters will be full-bore.

As far as ISU basketball history I actually can attest to as a media relations assistant, Vidette Sports Editor, practice player, team chef, security guard, and season ticket holder (finally during the Jank years):

Let's get it out of the way - the Dan play against Tennessee

"The Stare"

Rico owning Madison in Round 2... that was one helluva ride back down I-39

Coop, KS during NIT "bench time"...eternally celebratory

KS pushing Skipp in the wheelchair still brings tears to my eyes

Walking down the street with Molinari in the rain in St. Louis from then "Kiel and him just talking about life not rivalry
Kyle Cartmill's step-up against Arizona when, as a coach, that game was winnable, but we were so banged up

Gibby's Senior Night speech. Big East never failed

Everything Jepp. Sean is such a good dude that never knew how good he was
Osiris was exceptional but oddly used with the influx of the 2 bigs

JOKE: I can't resit: ISU is my UCLA. Wait, it really is.

The Donewald firing was mostly political with the Board and major donors. Donewald was a diva / demagogue and his attitude eventually pissed off the wrong people. Couple that with a downward trend in talent/performance and ISU took the first opportunity to present itself to give him the heave.

 

[Tpguy]

My biggest complaint was where was the TPGuy footage? Major omission.

funny guy

 

[Metamoron]

Now ill take a moment and forgive myself as I am 38 but even until watching the video I never knew how good the 80s teams were. I heard the names but I didn't know how special the 82-83, 83-84 and 84-85 teams were. I knew the names Ricky Johnson, Lou Stefanovich, Michael McKenny and know how talented they were and where they stand in the record books but 3 straight trips to the NCAA tournament and 2 straight trips to the 2nd round that's really special.

A couple other notes for you youngsters.
The second and third of those 80s team (beat Alabama and USC in first round) were 8 and 9 seeds so they played 1 seeds in second round. Oklahoma with Waymon Tisdale and DePaul I think.

Also for the team that played USC, was at height of ISU/Bradley rivalry. WMBD refused to air our game in first round of tourney (Too much basketball on, station manager told me), so I had to drive from East Peoria to Normal (Joseys?) to be able
To watch the game.

 

[Birgs]

The Donewald firing was mostly political with the Board and major donors. Donewald was a diva / demagogue and his attitude eventually pissed off the wrong people. Couple that with a downward trend in talent/performance and ISU took the first opportunity to present itself to give him the heave.

Thanks for that clarification. I kinda had an inkling it was a "suits in leather chair offices vs. sneakers on wood" ... seems to always happen:butting-of the heads.

I'm guessing Donewald had a little too much "Bob" in him (Knight pun intended)

That is very sincere, however for you to add the talent/results kinda peaked and the arrow was not necessarily pointing the way it coulda been. Very cool part of 'Bird history. Wish I was born earlier

 

[DannyCooksey]

Great video!

 

[Birgs]

A couple other notes for you youngsters.
The second and third of those 80s team (beat Alabama and USC in first round) were 8 and 9 seeds so they played 1 seeds in second round. Oklahoma with Waymon Tisdale and DePaul I think.

Also for the team that played USC, was at height of ISU/Bradley rivalry. WMBD refused to air our game in first round of tourney (Too much basketball on, station manager told me), so I had to drive from East Peoria to Normal (Joseys?) to be able
To watch the game.

And those DePaul teams were stacked. I'm thinking mostly post Corzine, but Aguirre, Cummins, Comegys, Strickland. And it was a bittersweet anointment for me when post-Kennedy Demons got thoroughly bruised at that neutral site doubleheader in St. Louis.

It was special 'cause '"Lotta Dunks" LeRoy had been Prop 48'd and had to leave DePaul when I believe Coach Whul swept in and we started spending time in Milner and he had a pretty nice chip on his shoulder.

 

[Redbird222]

And those DePaul teams were stacked. I'm thinking mostly post Corzine, but Aguirre, Cummins, Comegys, Strickland. And it was a bittersweet anointment for me when post-Kennedy Demons got thoroughly bruised at that neutral site doubleheader in St. Louis.

It was special 'cause '"Lotta Dunks" LeRoy had been Prop 48'd and had to leave DePaul when I believe Coach Whul swept in and we started spending time in Milner and he had a pretty nice chip on his shoulder.

Shamless plug but you can listen to Leroy talk about how he originally was going to ISU, switched to DePaul, and then back to ISU after declared prop 48. Also talks about DePaul game a little too

 

[Birgs]

Shamless plug but you can listen to Leroy talk about how he originally was going to ISU, switched to DePaul, and then back to ISU after declared prop 48. Also talks about DePaul game a little too

Fantastic. I've tried to catch up on your 'casts (kinda busy teaching/coaching) but this one is my favorite by the most so far. You guys do awesome, don't wanna call it "work" 'cause you guys make it so much fun. I feel like "throwing a log on the fire" and sitting back and just talking hoops. It's like being at a tavern in St. Louis with Bloodworth. Thank you. it's a lot of fun!

 

[LegacyRedbird]

This was a cool watch. I was born in 87 so I wasn’t alive for the early years of the program. I became a fan as a child going to games with my parents in the Muller years. Been a season ticket holder with my father for 8 or so years now. Graduated from ISU in 2012 and live in Normal.

l’m hoping we see more things like this that celebrate our basketball history.

 

[gobirds85]

I will admit my ignorance to '70s '80s ISU ball...I was a Southside kid with an Uncle that played for a tourney team that lost to a helluva Michigan team under Coach Ray @ DePaul and considered walking on there or to UIC for hoops but became a lifetime 'Bird instead.

Seeing the Horton stuff is electrifying. God, I wish I could have been there...


I will never understand the Donewald dismiss: strictly administrative? His record, Getting RA, Huh?
Caveat: The next comments are just on face value...Never met the man, but Pedon seems like a Porter/Bender guy.
No one wants to be more wrong than me. I hope it works Me and my daughters will be full-bore.

As far as ISU basketball history I actually can attest to as a media relations assistant, Vidette Sports Editor, practice player, team chef, security guard, and season ticket holder (finally during the Jank years):

Let's get it out of the way - the Dan play against Tennessee

"The Stare"

Rico owning Madison in Round 2... that was one helluva ride back down I-39

Coop, KS during NIT "bench time"...eternally celebratory

KS pushing Skipp in the wheelchair still brings tears to my eyes

Walking down the street with Molinari in the rain in St. Louis from then "Kiel and him just talking about life not rivalry
Kyle Cartmill's step-up against Arizona when, as a coach, that game was winnable, but we were so banged up

Gibby's Senior Night speech. Big East never failed

Everything Jepp. Sean is such a good dude that never knew how good he was
Osiris was exceptional but oddly used with the influx of the 2 bigs

JOKE: I can't resit: ISU is my UCLA. Wait, it really is.

Donewald made it very easy for the ISU to release him. He attempted to imitate Bobby Knight and that wasn't going to fly here. When RA was being planned it was originally going to be an all purpose (men's bball, women's bball, vball and intramural activities). That wasn't what Donewald wanted. If he had his way, it would have been solely men's bball, but he was forced to compromise on letting the two women's sports use RA. I was a member of the planning committee and it was amazing that every time we met more and more of the "multi-use" space was being omitted. Every time we met, myself and a few others brought up the issue, we were simply told that the budget would not address our desires. Many of the planning committee flew down to USF for a tour of their Sun Dome. I was invited for a bus ride up to UIC. I declined.

 

[Birgs]

Donewald made it very easy for the ISU to release him. He attempted to imitate Bobby Knight and that wasn't going to fly here. When RA was being planned it was originally going to be an all purpose (men's bball, women's bball, vball and intramural activities). That wasn't what Donewald wanted. If he had his way, it would have been solely men's bball, but he was forced to compromise on letting the two women's sports use RA. I was a member of the planning committee and it was amazing that every time we met more and more of the "multi-use" space was being omitted. Every time we met, myself and a few others brought up the issue we were simply told that the budget would not address our desires. Many of the planning committee fly down to USF for a tour of their Sun Dome. I was invited for a bus ride up to UIC. I declined.

Awesome insight. I appreciate all of the intelligent posts. I was the Sports Editor at the Vidette and worked Media Relations for Mossman, Hason, and Kober: total archive geek and never knew the "nitty gritty" of that era great stuff, guys. Thanks for "talking shop."
Regarding RA and the Sundome parallels, one of my favorite quotes - and I can't remember if it was DM or Big East Gibby: "What are those green and yellow things up there?" (the old vents)

 

[gobirds85]

Awesome insight. I appreciate all of the intelligent posts. I was the Sports Editor at the Vidette and worked Media Relations for Mossman, Hason, and Kober: total archive geek and never knew the "nitty gritty" of that era great stuff, guys. Thanks for "talking shop."
Regarding RA and the Sundome parallels, one of my favorite quotes - and I can't remember if it was DM or Big East Gibby: "What are those green and yellow things up there?" (the old vents)

I remember my ISU admin/contact telling me that we were going to get screwed as soon as the budget cuts began. I might have had $3 in my pocket at the time, so there was no way I could help out.

 

[Redbird28]

Got thinking about some more recent clips, and 1 omission that I wish was here, just because of how awesome the play was, was Madison Williams onehanded jam over McMillan from Valpo. That was a swagger moment if I've ever seen one.

 

[Hrtnfldhse]

The memories came flooding back watching this video. My first three years at ISU was 82-85 seasons. Hearing "This is Redbird Basketball" at Horton was the best. My first ISU-Bradley game was amazing at Horton. Coach Pedon, please get us back to great basketball and battling for conference championships and NCAA tourney appearances SOON. Can't wait for the Horton game, I can't believe I get a chance to see my Redbirds in Horton again.

 

[Birgs]

Something in that "before I got there era" that this video refreshed for me was a story my dear friend, incredible artist, and fellow Vidette alumnus pieced in a feature about Rick Lamb. I really wish I could track it down. The triumph & tragedy of a gentle giant from the hardwood to the wrestling ring. The rest of the story, well we all have our detours.

 

[Birdswin]

That was a FANTASTIC video - I was at ISU aka Camp Redbird from Aug 79 to May 83 - There just seemed to be a feeling, no matter who we played at Horton - The Birds were going to win, if the crowd was loud enough. It was wonderful. In the part about the NCAA Tourney game vs Ohio in the Sun Dome - you have the clip with me on it, I was in the first row on the baseline, CBS cameraman right in front of me, after the Raynard Malaine baseline basket - turned and got me - Thanks. Of course, that is when I had black hair, black mustache, and a 100 lbs lighter.

 

[DannyCooksey]

Something in that "before I got there era" that this video refreshed for me was a story my dear friend, incredible artist, and fellow Vidette alumnus pieced in a feature about Rick Lamb. I really wish I could track it down. The triumph & tragedy of a gentle giant from the hardwood to the wrestling ring. The rest of the story, well we all have our detours.

Something in that "before I got there era" that this video refreshed for me was a story my dear friend, incredible artist, and fellow Vidette alumnus pieced in a feature about Rick Lamb. I really wish I could track it down. The triumph & tragedy of a gentle giant from the hardwood to the wrestling ring. The rest of the story, well we all have our detours.

Loved Lamb. I hope he’s doing well. It’d be great to get someone to write about him or get an interview

 

[Denali2x]

Chills. This Is Redbird Basketball

Great summary of those years. It is time again....

 

[Baltimore Bird]

That was a fabulous video. I loved it. THANK YOU.
I attended many of the games in the early days, less lately, living in Baltimore.
I would have really liked to have had a Billy "Smooth" Lewis sighting. He was SO good.
The ENTIRE starting 5 at the end of the 76/77 season WAS drafted when they left ISU. Amazing....

 

[jbird]

I am often more nostalgic for the past than optimistic for the future, so I looked back at the Birds'1978-79 schedule. It was my freshman year and Bob Donewald's first year at ISU. Following Redbird coach Gene Smithson's high scoring Redbird era, there was speculation that Donewald, a Bob Knight disciple, would slow things down and win defensive battles rather than offensive shootouts. So, looking back at 1978-79, I was surprised to see that ISU averaged 80 p.p.g. and, although by recent Redbird team numbers those sound like Gonzaga points, that year 80 ranked only 53rd of the 256 Division 1 teams that season. Given the fact that our only wins this year have been squeakers against EIU and Northeestern State, I also took note that in '78-'79 seven of our 20 wins were by double digits including four spreads of 17 or more...........the biggest blowout being an 88-62 win.

In today's college game, starting lineups are often announced with four guards and a forward, but in my freshman year there was still a more conventional lineup with 2 guards, 2 forwards and a center. ISU fans as ancient as me might recall the lineup with Mayes and Jones at the guard spots, Ferina and Yarbrough as forwards and Galvin at center.