Tarkanian Remembers Gray
by Frank Burlison, Long Beach Press-Telegram
June 27, 2006 Jerry Tarkanian hadn't coached Leonard Gray in more than 33 years and, admittedly, "hadn't seen or talked to him very much" over the next 30 years or so.
Still, just hours after learning that Gray had died almost nine days before, Tarkanian wept honestly and frequently early Thursday morning while recalling one of the best players on his final two Long Beach State basketball teams during the 1971-72 and '72-73 seasons.
Gray was buried a week ago today in his hometown of Kansas City, Kansas, seven days after passing away during heart surgery in New Jersey at age 54.
The 75-year-old Tarkanian returned to his Las Vegas home late Wednesday night after spending 10 days on his first-ever trip to Armenia.
When he checked his cellular phone and land-line voicemail messages, there were several from former players and a reporter with the news that jolted him.
"I'm in a state of shock," Tarkanian said, his raspy voice breaking up and turning to sobs three or four times during a 15-minute telephone conversation early Thursday morning.
"Leonard really was a great person. I'm really shook up. I didn't sleep at all last night."
After Tarkanian left Long Beach State to take over at Nevada-Las Vegas in the spring of 1973, he said he rarely had contact with Gray who was a senior the following season, when the 49ers went 24-2 in their one season under Lute Olson until several years ago, when Gray relocated to Las Vegas.
"I was in a restaurant (in Las Vegas) having lunch with my granddaughters a couple of years ago," he said.
"The waiter brought over a bottle of wine and I asked him, 'Who is this from?" and he pointed to the bar. And there was Leonard, sitting there with this big smile."
Subsequently, Tarkanian said, he and Gray would meet frequently for dinner or lunch in Las Vegas.
"He'd always try to grab the check," he said. "I knew he wasn't doing really well, financially (this was after Gray had lost his job with Boeing in Long Beach), but he still wanted to pay for lunch or dinner. I'd say, 'Leonard, put your money away." "
Tarkanian wept for a few more moments.
"The guy never asked me for anything at all," Tarkanian said. "He was such a good guy. We'd talk about old times (at Long Beach). And he would talk about his nieces (who played basketball). He was so proud of them."
The tears were still flowing but there was joy in his voice.
"I remember when we lost at Pacific," he said.
"I think John Errecart (a Tigers guard) went something like 11 of 11 (from the field). We bused to Sacramento to fly back (to Southern California) and I was a mess at the airport. So then Leonard comes over and puts his arm around me and talks for about 10 minutes, saying, 'Don't worry, coach; it will be OK." He was coaching me!"
He paused and composed himself.
"I loved him so much," he said.
It's a feeling that is shared by many of Gray's teammates as well.
"He was a great friend and a kind and compassionate person," former 49er John Kazmer (1971-75) wrote in an e-mail.
"We were close, on and off the court, which is something that all great teams have. He should be remembered for being an excellent teammate, a great friend and a 'gentle giant." The stories will live on. May he rest in peace."
Teammates and friends of Gray are going to gather on July 8 at Long Beach State to share memories of Gray.
Those interested in attending should RSVP to Errol Parker at eparkeror (562) 216-4617. |
