Stallworth honored

By Gary Bedore, Assistant Sports Editor, Tuesday, February 1, 2005

Bud Stallworth proudly stood at center court of Allen Fieldhouse at halftime of Monday's Kansas University-Missouri men's basketball game.  His jersey No. 15 hung high in the south end zone after an emotional ceremony.

Stallworth, the 6-foot-5 Hartsell, Ala., native and 16th-leading scorer in KU history, appeared touched as KU's basketball pep band serenaded him with the song KU fans sang during Stallworth's KU days (1970-72).  That's the Budweiser jingle: "When you say Bud; you've said it all."

"This is emotional, really a proud day for me," Stallworth said. "What I say today comes from the heart. I'm honored to have been part of this program and university close to 30 years. It's made me one of the luckiest people in the world."  Stallworth felt proud to have his mother and other family members on hand, plus coach Ted Owens and some of his former teammates, including Dave Robisch.

"My parents allowed me to grow and chase a dream," said Stallworth, who has lived in Lawrence since 1987 and works as assistant director of budget and support services for KU design and construction management.  "My mother here and my father, up there (in heaven), made this all possible."

The fans applauded the loudest when reminded Stallworth scored 50 points versus Mizzou in 1972. It's the most points scored by a KU player in a league game, second overall behind Wilt Chamberlain's 52.  "It was my last game here, and my mother got to see me play for the first time," Stallworth said. "I always liked to play against Missouri. Once the shots start falling ... they say when you are in a zone, you are in a zone. That's what happened."

Before Bud Stallworth watched his Kansas uniform rise to the rafters of Allen Fieldhouse on Monday, the former Jayhawk delightfully recalled his
recruitment by former coach Ted Owens. Stallworth was in Lawrence attending a summer band camp when he began shooting hoops during a break. Owens spotted the sharpshooter and Stallworth's attention turned to basketball and away from music. But had he continued playing the trumpet ..."If I was on trumpet, I'd have been on Johnny Carson, late night," Stallworth said. "One of the guest teachers at camp was Doc Severinson. I told him I wanted his horn." The timing of the ceremony retiring Stallworth's jersey was no coincidence. In his final game in Allen Fieldhouse in 1972, Stallworth torched Missouri for 50 points.

Stallworth would have tied the KU record of 52 points held by Wilt Chamberlain had a late lane violation not been called on the Jayhawks. Each of those performances came without the benefit of the 3-point arc. "I didn't push them to do it at this game, but I did ask if I could be honored when Missouri came to town and they were gracious about that," Stallworth said. He then recalled the Tigers' former coach. "Norm Stewart was great motivation. He had it in him that 'I want to beat that team,' and that always inspired me." Stallworth became the third Jayhawk who wore No. 15 and had his jersey retired, joining Ray Evans and Jo Jo White. He is the fourth of five players to be honored this season.