Saying goodby to Pete Newell

The basketball world is a little less today as one of its classiest individuals has died. Pete Newell Sr. passed on yesterday, someone who gave and gave and gave to the sport he loved. He was a person who apparently never engendered harsh feelings or words from anyone and also was one of the few beings on this earth that Bobby Knight listened to and respected.

We have our very own personal Pete Newell anecdote. Many years ago and being a teen-age Laker fan (who could resist the tandem of Jerry West and Elgin Baylor?), we sent a note to Newell who was then the general manager of the Lakers. Despite not knowing what we didn't know, we offered some suggestions to Newell on how to better his team. Rather than line his pet bird cage or litter box at home with our recommendations (well, maybe he actually did so), Newell wrote a note back and offered thanks. Try that nowadays and you'll be participating in a 2008 version of Waiting For Godot.

And to set the record straight, Newell the college coach was the original towel chewer.

Kudos to someone who left the world better by his presence.

Above is a Ray Barbour photo of Pete Newell Senior and Pete Newell Junior. The latter coached boys basketball at Santa Cruz High for a number of years before his retirement.