Johnny Orr interview on channel 13

**Cyclonepride** · 05-17-2009, 10:22 PM

It was great to hear Johnny interviewed again, and I swear, every time I see the old clips and hear "here's Johnny", I get goosebumps and my eyes tear up. Johnny made Iowa State basketball, and arguably was Hilton Magic (not saying it can't be reborn).

Now when are we going to build that statue? I've got $100 to start.

**TarHeelHawk** · 05-17-2009, 10:30 PM

I saw that, it was a nice piece. The fact that he and his wife have been married 60 years is very impressive.

Lord willing, Mrs. THH and I make it that far.

**Cyclonepride** · 05-17-2009, 10:37 PM

Just emailed Jamie Pollard with the idea (I'm sure he's heard it a thousand or more times), but I really think this needs to be done so that Coach Orr can be there to see it happen. He's a remarkable man, to say the least. If anyone else wants to do so, it's: jbp@iastate.edu

**kingcy** · 05-17-2009, 10:37 PM

Something needs to named after Orr before it is too late.

**San Francisco Cy** · 05-17-2009, 11:26 PM

I think it's been stated (by Pollard even?) that Johnny's got a banner hanging in Hilton, and that's his tribute. Is it enough? Not really sure, but it's more than the coach that took us to back to back XII championships has...

**jaretac** · 05-17-2009, 11:48 PM

I just checked and 13 doesn't have it on their website, I hope they add it because I missed it.

**Haverhill** · 05-18-2009, 12:09 AM

Center Drive (road running south of Hilton, Scheman, Stephens) should be renamed Johnny Orr Drive

**jaretac** · 05-18-2009, 12:12 AM

Originally Posted by Haverhill

Center Drive (road running south of Hilton, Scheman, Stephens) should be renamed Johnny Orr Drive

That is actually not a bad idea, especially sense the road running just west of Hilton is Center Rd.

**cyclonedave25** · 05-18-2009, 12:39 AM

Originally Posted by Haverhill

Center Drive (road running south of Hilton, Scheman, Stephens) should be renamed Johnny Orr Drive

That would be awesome! I would love to see that happen in the near future.

**CycloneErik** · 05-18-2009, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by Haverhill

Center Drive (road running south of Hilton, Scheman, Stephens) should be renamed Johnny Orr Drive

I would love that. And the statue.

Naming the court would be a really nice tribute.

**Go2Guy** · 05-18-2009, 09:25 AM

I'll never forget that morning when I open the Sports Sec of the Des Moines Register with the headline Johnny had been hired as head coach.

What a shock - this was a head coach who, just a couple years earlier, had been to the final 4; had recruits like 1st team AA Ricky Green and beat teams like Nat Champs Indiana coached by Knight - or even Lute Olson!

The selection came out of the blue for most Clone fans who were unaware of the behind-the-scene meetings - no major newspaper had the scoop that ISU was even talking to Orr and in those days there was no internet / no message boards.

The announcement was jaw-dropping and gave instant validity to Iowa State because our program was flat on it's back - did any of you realize in those days Hilton could barely fill the lower parquet; some games had around 5,000 in attendance. ISU paid 1981 "Big Bucks" for Johnny - and it caught a lot of flack , but within two years of his hiring, Hilton was "Sold out".

**Wingback** · 05-18-2009, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by CycloneErik

I would love that. And the statue.

Naming the court would be a really nice tribute.

A lot of schools are doing that now. Something like Johnny Orr Court at Hilton Colleseum. Nebraska now refers to it as Tom Osborne Field at Memorial Stadium. Those are great tributes to people who had a huge impact on athletic programs.

**CycloneErik** · 05-18-2009, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by Wingback

A lot of schools are doing that now. Something like Johnny Orr Court at Hilton Colleseum. Nebraska now refers to it as Tom Osborne Field at Memorial Stadium. Those are great tributes to people who had a huge impact on athletic programs.

Lute Olson Court; Coach K Court. Lots of named courts out there.Why not do this for Johnny?

Of course, if they do it, and I'm there (like I assume I would be), I might shed a tear or two, but I can live with that.

**chuckd4735** · 05-18-2009, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by Wingback

A lot of schools are doing that now. Something like Johnny Orr Court at Hilton Colleseum. Nebraska now refers to it as Tom Osborne Field at Memorial Stadium. Those are great tributes to people who had a huge impact on athletic programs.

I'd go with Orr Floor...