Undeniable that Denny Crum took University of Louisville basketball to almost unbelievable heights. Winning two national championships, making six final fours, and six sweet sixteens during the first 18 seasons of his 30-year career.
Small wonder fans were disappointed during the latter stages of his career. Crum had raised UofL fans’ expectations to such levels that anything less than a deep run in the NCAA tournament was disappointing. When the recruits and tournament appearances quit coming, he would become a victim of that success.
A person Louisville fans should never take for granted. He set the standard by which his successors will be measured. If Darrell Griffith is a legend, Denny Crum is a landmark.
So imagine a U of L basketball fanatic being able to spend an evening at the Crum house with Denny as Timothy Johnstone (aka Mr. Red) of Cardinal Laws had the fortune of doing recently. Here’s an excerpt from the blog:
“Denny is the kind of person who makes awkwardness impossible. He’s welcoming and down to earth, patiently signing innumerable autographs and answering every question with thoughtful consideration. In fact, he is exactly the same in person as how he comes off on his radio show. He talks a little slower, and is more mellow than in his brash heyday. But he still has charisma; he speaks without bombast or hyperbole, just a self-assured, quiet, authoritative demeanor. Not a hint of arrogance either, just confidence; I get the impression he’s the kind of man that’s never done an unconfident act in his entire adult life.”
Read the entire article at Cardinal-Laws. Well worth the trip.
Coach Crum is a amazing guy. The man doesn’t say no to anybody.God bless him and his family.
Those were the good old days. Like a dream now.
Good perspective by both Charlie and Mr. Black. I think even Pitino suffers in comparison … and he was the beginning of the end for Denny.
Thanks for the plug Charlie!
Denny was always a class act. Among the best coaches in the nation and among the most upstanding.
I don’t think he was treated fairly at the end but he was always a man of honor and principle. A great credit to the U of L. I will always remember him fondly.