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Have you ever met Nolan Richardson in-person?

Started by 40MinutesOfHellFOREVER, March 27, 2017, 03:21:35 pm

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40MinutesOfHellFOREVER

If so, where and when did you have occasion to meet him, and what was the interaction like?  What type of impression did he make on you?  I have never had the privilege of meeting the man, so I have no idea what he is really like, but I would be curious to hear from any lucky Hogs fans who have actually had the chance to meet him and speak with him, even if it was only for a few minutes.   :razorback:

Pigonometry

I was a student up on the hill from 1986 to December 1990.   I am sure I said "hi" to Coach Richardson on occasion but this is story I will always remember.............

On June 8, 1991, on the way to the church for our wedding I stop to gas my car up just outside of campus.  Since this is before you could pay at the pump, I went inside to pay.

As I am leaving, Nolan walks in the door.

I say, "Hey, Coach".

He says something like, "How's it going today, son".

I say, "I'm getting married in three hour". 

He laughed and in that big deep voice says, "Well, good luck to you".

Still married almost 27 years later!

Baseball is simple, but never easy.

 

lstewart

I used to see him at Paradise Valley golf course in Fayetteville fairly regularly. He played a lot of golf, and was around a lot of the time we were playing. Always spoke to him, and he was always friendly. My son worked at Paradise through high school and college. Said Nolan hung around a good bit with other golfers as one of the guys.

010HogFan

Met him when I was back in college one time in the Walmart on MLK where he was doing an autograph signing.

Met him again earlier this year in the Walmart market on Wedington in the canned goods aisle. I said "hey coach" and he greeted me back. He was very nice both times I met him.

phadedhawg

so envious of all of you. 

The only Razorback I've ever met was Pat Bradley.  I have a friend who lives in the NW Ark area and she's ran into Coach half a dozen times.  He's always been very kind and accommodating when she requested an autograph or picture.  He's all Razorback and totally one of us is what she says of him.

Wolfpride

I was in the Hogwild Band.  During Saturday games, Hogwild Band members had to STAY in Barnhill Arena ALL day if you played for the girls game too.  From about 10:00 am until the end of the boys' game in the BARN.  So, there is only so much you can do.....we would play pick games on the court.  The custodian kept yelling at us to get off the court.  One day, we were told again to leave and Nolan comes by.  He tells the guy, "Hey, these boys can play on the court anytime they want!  They are part of the reason we do so well!".  Even gave us a ball to use.  So, from then on, we play pick games at the Barn on game day.
"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things.  And no good thing ever dies"
Andy Dufresne

phadedhawg

Quote from: Wolfpride on March 27, 2017, 03:58:04 pm
I was in the Hogwild Band.  During Saturday games, Hogwild Band members had to STAY in Barnhill Arena ALL day if you played for the girls game too.  From about 10:00 am until the end of the boys' game in the BARN.  So, there is only so much you can do.....we would play pick games on the court.  The custodian kept yelling at us to get off the court.  One day, we were told again to leave and Nolan comes by.  He tells the guy, "Hey, these boys can play on the court anytime they want!  They are part of the reason we do so well!".  Even gave us a ball to use.  So, from then on, we play pick games at the Barn on game day.

Awesome story! 

Kevin

at aau tournament in las vegas late 90"s. sat right in front of me. he first spoke with an elderly lady for about 10 minutes, then I introduced myself, spoke for about 5 minutes

was very nice.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.<br />James 4:7
Reject Every Kind Of Evil 1 Thessalonians 5:22

MountieDawg

He liked being the first off the tee on Saturday morning at Paradise Valley.. We were the group behaving no him.  Nice guy, but never repaired a ball mark...that was frustrating.
SEC!

ErieHog

A good many times, between events, golf tournaments, seeing him around the Barn and the Bud,  clinics, and the like.

The guy was always Nolan--  a good guy to all who would accept it, and to hell with those who didn't.   

No cause, ever, in the history of all mankind, has produced more cold-blooded tyrants, more slaughtered innocents, and more orphans than socialism with power. It surpassed, exponentially, all other systems of production in turning out the dead. The bodies are all around us. And here is the problem: No one talks about them. No one honors them. No one does penance for them. No one has committed suicide for having been an apologist for those who did this to them. No one pays for them. No one is hunted down to account for them. It is exactly what Solzhenitsyn foresaw in The Gulag Archipelago: "No, no one would have to answer. No one would be looked into." Until that happens, there is no "after socialism."

factchecker

If you live in Fayetteville there is a good chance that you will see him in and around town.

I've seen him multiple times but I've never been one to ask for autograph or picture.  He's always seemed friendly in his interactions with people. 
WORK FOR IT
PLAN ON IT
EARN IT
OMAHOGS

Little Lady Back

I had the pleasure of meeting Coach Richardson years ago at a charity event in Little Rock. He was being interviewed before the function by a local news station so my friend and I waited in hopes of maybe getting to meet him. Sure enough as soon as his interview was over, he smiled and walked over and stood there and visited with us until he was introduced to the crowd. He was so engaging, nice and very funny. I will never forget the experience.   
#NolanRichardsonCourt

Hawgndaaz

Shake his hand, call him coach. He will kindly say hello. He loves good people just like anyone else.

but seriously, ALWAYS call him coach.


He lectured us at basketball camp back when I was in the 5th grade. Said that a coach should always be called a coach.

I remember being scared to death after the talk.

 

Randy Cavender

Yes! At an Arkansas basketball game a few years ago. Introduced him to my daughter and requested a picture. He gladly said yes! We talked about the game. A highlight indeed.

labb

 Back in the day, I think it was Nolan's second or third year I got to meet him. I took my Mom (great Hog Basketball Fan that has watched this great season from Heaven) to Little Rock to watch the Red White game that they use to play there ever year. My Mom insisted on being in the gym when the doors opened so we were one of the first there. We were watching the kids shoot around and I decided to go to the walk way for a smoke (could do that at that time). I'm standing there smoking when I felt some one behind me. Turned around and it was Nolan. we talk for a while and finally he asked where I was from. Told him a small town down by Texarkana. He said, you mean you and your Mom came all this way to watch a practice. I said yes we did because it is about the only time we get to see them in person. I said "Coach, you see that old White lady there on the front row, if you would say something to her she would never ever forget it. He said Ok and left. I went back to my seat and some time later just before the game started Nolan came out. Mom said "There is Nolan coming out". I said yes and he is coming to talk with you....Imagine my surprise when Nolan came up into the stands, sat down by my Mom and started thanking her for her support. Mom was so shocked she couldn't say a word so she just hugged him. Not another big time Coach would have done that. My Mom passed Jan. 15 2015 so she didn't get to see this really good season. She would tell me, when all were saying "Wait until Next Season", I don't have many more Next Season's left. We need to get this done..I really, really miss her. She wasn't just my Mom, She was my Buddy. Never missed a game. Even if we just had to listen on the radio.

Jackrabbit Hog

The season tickets we have at BWA are one row behind Nolan's seats, about 4 seats to the left.  First game we sat in those seats, my wife asked if she could have a picture with him.  I'm sure she was only about the 80th person to ask for a picture with him that day, but just like the 79 people before her, he smiled, said "sure", and stood to have the photo taken with her.  I've never seen him refuse to have one of those taken, although I'm sure it can be frustrating when you are there to watch the game.  I've spoken to him a few times and, just like everyone else has said, he's just a genuine guy.
Quote from: JIMMY BOARFFETT on June 29, 2018, 03:47:07 pm
I'm sure it's nothing that a $500 retainer can't fix.  Contact JackRabbit Hog for payment instructions.

bvillepig

Just like all have said.  I have met Nolan 3 times. He is genuine.   I asked if he would take a picture with my grand daughters the last time I bumped into him.  No issue  just a big smile.

rljjr

Met him a number of times as a student and adult. If you've never seen this video of his induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame you should. You'll be fired up to go win.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGdCeCG8e2A

phadedhawg

Quote from: labb on March 27, 2017, 04:31:48 pm
Back in the day, I think it was Nolan's second or third year I got to meet him. I took my Mom (great Hog Basketball Fan that has watched this great season from Heaven) to Little Rock to watch the Red White game that they use to play there ever year. My Mom insisted on being in the gym when the doors opened so we were one of the first there. We were watching the kids shoot around and I decided to go to the walk way for a smoke (could do that at that time). I'm standing there smoking when I felt some one behind me. Turned around and it was Nolan. we talk for a while and finally he asked where I was from. Told him a small town down by Texarkana. He said, you mean you and your Mom came all this way to watch a practice. I said yes we did because it is about the only time we get to see them in person. I said "Coach, you see that old White lady there on the front row, if you would say something to her she would never ever forget it. He said Ok and left. I went back to my seat and some time later just before the game started Nolan came out. Mom said "There is Nolan coming out". I said yes and he is coming to talk with you....Imagine my surprise when Nolan came up into the stands, sat down by my Mom and started thanking her for her support. Mom was so shocked she couldn't say a word so she just hugged him. Not another big time Coach would have done that. My Mom passed Jan. 15 2015 so she didn't get to see this really good season. She would tell me, when all were saying "Wait until Next Season", I don't have many more Next Season's left. We need to get this done..I really, really miss her. She wasn't just my Mom, She was my Buddy. Never missed a game. Even if we just had to listen on the radio.


Great stuff.  Glad to hear she got to meet him. 

40MINSOFHELL

Yes, I met him and Kareem Reid after a game. I have some photos somewhere.

Cmheinley

I had the honor to meet him when I was 9 or 10 at the Nolan Richardson Basketball Camp. This would have been in 95' I believe. I had won the Most Improved Player award and he congratulated me with a "great job son" and gave his whole speech with his hands on my shoulders. It was terrifying at that age, but very humbling now.

jkstock04

Ive never actually talked to him. Like others I used to see him at Paradise all the time in the summer months when he was coaching. He had his own gas cart (it sounded like hell lol) and would drive in from his house and do pretty much whatever he wanted. He always played by himself, I never saw anyone with him like someone above said.

Now the only time I see him is at games. I guess he goes to every home game. What few I go to I always see him...and people constantly badger him for a picture. I would think thats gotta get old...but he always seems happy to oblige folks. He looks a lot less intimidating these days than he used to!!
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makiavelli

Met him at a kentucky game 3-4 years ago randomly at a concession stand. He was nice enough to take a picture with me and sign my ticket, which I have up on the bookcase :) He was very patient and didnt seem put out in the least. I know sometimes you meet someone you look up to and walk away disappointed, was the complete opposite for me. I walked away extremely happy to have met him and to have seen that he definitely cares about his fans and is happy to spend a little bit of time with them.
Wally Hall is an angry lil guy

Jackrabbit Hog

I took this picture at a game about 4 years ago.  Have no idea who the guy is getting his picture taken with him, but this goes on pretty constantly during games - although primarily before, after, halftime and during timeouts.  But this shows how close our seats are to his.
Quote from: JIMMY BOARFFETT on June 29, 2018, 03:47:07 pm
I'm sure it's nothing that a $500 retainer can't fix.  Contact JackRabbit Hog for payment instructions.

 

jfred59

In the fall in his first year on the hill I was walking on the golf course in Little Rock and he walked by me and I spoke to him and he was very nice and spoke.  I told him we were glad to have him at Arkansas and wished him luck and he thanked me.  Later I was at the NIT game in Fayetteville in 1997 and stayed at the Clarion.  Wife and I were in the restaurant for breakfast and coach and the entire staff came in to eat as well.  I waited till Coach was finished eating and was getting up and I asked if I could get a picture with him and he was very nice and took the time to let us get it.  It sits proudly in my living room.

Dr. Starcs

Very cool stories.

A little nervous that CNR may need a restraining order against OP. Lol.

WilsonHog

I covered his press conferences when I worked as SID. Part of my job after each game was to meet him in our locker room and walk him to the press conference room to meet the media. He was really two men. There was the beautiful man that our fans got to interact with, and there was the prickly man our media had to deal with from time to time.

My daughter met him a few years ago when she got a signed copy of his book for me. She talked about how kind and gracious he was to her.

247Hog

Quote from: Dr. Starcs on March 27, 2017, 06:31:57 pm
Very cool stories.

A little nervous that CNR may need a restraining order against OP. Lol.

Huh?
If there's one thing any of you should know as hog fans, brace yourself for disappointment and never get your hopes up.

It could be raining female body parts outside and we'd all be hit in the head with a pecker - Dmaxfan

NotSoFastMyFriend

- In his house

- At practice

- In a Wal-Mart parking lot

- As a media member

He never changes. Class act and as nice a guy as I've ever met. In a word: Gracious

RazorbackToTheFuture

March 27, 2017, 06:52:27 pm #29 Last Edit: March 27, 2017, 08:37:40 pm by hog13hog
Met Nolan at a restaurant in Little Rock, wasn't too long after the crap hit the fan between he and the UofA .  My wife asked him to make an autograph out to my co-worker Tucker.  Nolan thought she said F---er and gave her this "bish you have got to be kidding me" type look so she clarified she said Tucker with a T and he obliged.

I wasn't a fan of how Coach drug the UofA through the mud so I had a good laugh when he got cranky thinking my wife wanted an autograph for F---er.

sickboy

Was in a scouting camp back in the 90's and had Coach Richardson work with me on my pull up shot. He just walked by as I was working by myself in the gym and started coaching me.

He was extremely kind and supportive.

(notOM)Rebel123

Remember when, during Nolan's first year, he & Scotty Edgar would come thru the drive-up window at the liquor store I worked at near campus. Always ordered Michelob. They would pull up in Nolan's big yellow/blue(maybe?) conversion van
With a Tulsa Hurricane NIT sticker on the back glass. They would always chat for a minute or so. Very nice.
"Knowledge is Good"....Emil Faber

dqhog

Cooked him a hamburger when I worked the grill one day at Paradise Valley during my sophomore year (from 1996-1997).  He was always very friendly and happy going when playing golf but I guess most guys are when they get time away from the office. 

Ugly Uncle

Man, I have so many stories. 

The first time I met him was when I was a kid and it was his first year at Arkansas.  I was getting on an elevator at what was then The Excelsior Hotel in Little Rock.  He and Andrew Lang got on right behind us.  I couldn't believe how big they both were and I was just speechless.  Neither of them smiled that I know of, because I could never look them in the eyes.

The last time that I saw him was when I was still covering the Razorbacks and after a game we were getting on the same elevator to take us from the floor of BWA where the press room is up to the lobby and parking lot.  I didn't bother telling him that I had first met him on an elevator and I certainly hope that last elevator ride won't be the last I am around him.

All the times in-between I've seen him constantly carry himself with a dignity that commands your respect.  The last time we talked (not like I talked to him all the time.  Just interviewed him a couple of times and saw him around the arena) he told me "I'm over 70 now.  This is a young man's game."  I still wouldn't want to pick a fight with him though.
Retired Radio Host

RazorbackToTheFuture


jgphillips3

I met him in the 90's.  I'm 6'2" and 225.  He was maybe an inch shorter but still built like a brick s**t house.  He was physically an imposing figure but when he greeted you he was genuinely warm and gracious.  It was so funny seeing him up close in games and thinking "Lord...I would hate to meet him in a dark alley" and the reality of who the man was away from the Court as a man with a huge heart.  He had none of the ego you would expect from a top coach and seemed truly appreciative of the love fans have for him.  Great man.

jdlew

Met him at the LR airport the Sunday John Daley won the PGA...we talked about how incredible JD had played that weekend...

hogwood

I practically grew up around him and Mike as a kid. Our next door neighbor was an assistant coach. Mike and Noland and some players would always come over for BBQs or neighborhood block parties. The assistant coach had two daughters the same age as my younger sisters, and they were good friends. Our families were close and since they didn't have a son for me to play with he would get me in to Nolan's summer camps every year. I got to go to Nolan's ranch every summer through that. I also played basketball with Mike's daughter Yvonne, and Nolan would always catch 1 or 2 of our games every season.

He was an instrumental figure in my growth as a young boy. No doubt one of my all time heroes. Thanks to whoever posted the HOF speech. Good to be reminded about how he carried himself. Haven't seen Coach in quite some time now.

pigture perfect

I was on the elevator on the same occasion as UU. I remember I said something, but can't remember what, and his was response was just a standard how ya doing kind of thing. I always give him a how ya doing , Coach in passing at ball games.
The 2 biggest fools in the world: He who has an answer for everything and he who argues with him.  - original.<br /> <br />The first thing I'm going to ask a lawyer (when I might need one) is, "You don't post on Hogville do you?"

ShadowHawg

I have never met him but my brother who is media member and a cancer survivor interviewed him.  My brother told him that he was one of his heroes growing up.

In the middle of the interview my brother thanked him for his work in fighting cancer and told him he was a cancer survivor. Nolan stopped the interview and told.my brother that he was the real hero and that he would trade every basketball win he ever had for losses if it would save even one life.

My brother was videoing the interview. He showed it to me and I still get choked up thinking about what Coach Richardson said to my brother that day.

passinghog

March 28, 2017, 02:09:57 am #40 Last Edit: March 28, 2017, 07:33:18 pm by Showtimehog
Golden Corral in Fayetteville on a Sunday afternoon (during the Pelphrey era) with his grandson (I think?) or some younger boy. He could tell I was in awe. I was standing in line and turned around and there he was.

Hogwop

I was 12, the year after we won the NCAA Championshio, and we were out to eat for my dad's birthday when Nolan walked in with his wife.  My older brother talked me into getting Coach's autograph for dad. He was extremely nice to me. I told him my dream was to play for him someday and he told me to keep my head down and work hard and maybe someday I could play for him. I was 5'2 and a little chunk, I'm sure he knew there was no chance in hell I would play college ball, but he didn't.act that way.
Pigga what?!
Quote from: PonderinHog on April 16, 2018, 10:27:02 amAn emoji is worth a hundred words.
9-07-1958 - 12-2-2011 R.I.P Mom, I will always miss you and love you.

Little Lady Back

Quote from: hogwood on March 27, 2017, 10:53:39 pm
I practically grew up around him and Mike as a kid. Our next door neighbor was an assistant coach. Mike and Noland and some players would always come over for BBQs or neighborhood block parties. The assistant coach had two daughters the same age as my younger sisters, and they were good friends. Our families were close and since they didn't have a son for me to play with he would get me in to Nolan's summer camps every year. I got to go to Nolan's ranch every summer through that. I also played basketball with Mike's daughter Yvonne, and Nolan would always catch 1 or 2 of our games every season.

He was an instrumental figure in my growth as a young boy. No doubt one of my all time heroes. Thanks to whoever posted the HOF speech. Good to be reminded about how he carried himself. Haven't seen Coach in quite some time now.

That is awesome, Hogwood! Thanks for sharing.
#NolanRichardsonCourt

Bogghawg

When I was a journalism student I worked for the Traveler and KUAF.  The closest I got to a conversation with Nolan was asking questions that he responded to at various press conferences.  I always felt like he made sure to get my question in among all those professional sports guys because I was a university student.  I also got to interview Frank Broyles and Ken Hatfield during my KUAF days.
Never Attempt To Teach a Pig To Sing; It Wastes Your Time and Annoys the Pig

hawg IQ

Quote from: 40MinutesOfHellFOREVER on March 27, 2017, 03:21:35 pm
If so, where and when did you have occasion to meet him, and what was the interaction like?  What type of impression did he make on you?  I have never had the privilege of meeting the man, so I have no idea what he is really like, but I would be curious to hear from any lucky Hogs fans who have actually had the chance to meet him and speak with him, even if it was only for a few minutes.   :razorback:
Yes, he's a fine man. I found him to be happy and very professional.
He was very courteous and really a down to earth person.
go hogs go !

RagingHawgOn

Met him the week of the UNLV game in '91. He was walking out of the store on Garland next to the liquor store as I was walking in. I introduced myself, shook his hand and wished the team luck in the big game. He was very gracious, big smile and thanked me. As he walked away, he turned and said "Now you'll be there, right?" Even if I wasn't going to be there, I would've said yes.

RazorRunner

In one of his last couple of years as head coach, I was on campus for a Sat. FB game and dropped by Bud Walton to watch the BB team playing pickup games. Hardly any other outsiders were in there. Nolan was on the floor close to me and I spoke and he was most gracious to visit with me for a few minutes. Also was glad to let me get a pic of the two of us, and threw his arm around me for it. That pic lived on my office wall at work for years afterward.

Another story -- In 2002 I was my nephew’s wedding in Kansas and met a relative of the bride who was a pharmacist from Fayetteville. He told me that one night after a home BB game, a pharmacist friend of his in Fayetteville was on the way home from the game and his car broke down and he was stuck on the side of the road. Nolan came along, saw him stranded, stopped to help, and gave the pharmacist a ride home. Another thing that relative told me was that his wife (already retired at that time in 2002) had worked for years in the UA athletic dept. offices, and she could attest first hand that everything Nolan said about racism in the department was true in regard to the AD. 

hawg1221

He used to shop the small Harps on Garland in Fayetteville in the late 90's.

Tejano Jawg

These are really cool stories. And this is how I would expect Nolan to be.

By contrast, I can only offer this up. I met Bobby Petrino on a couple occasions in Dallas (brief exchanges both times). And he is exactly like you'd think he would be.
Between McAfee being obnoxious and Corso decomposing before our eyes I can't even watch GameDay anymore. —Torqued Pork

Jackrabbit Hog

Quote from: Tejano Jawg on March 28, 2017, 10:14:32 am
By contrast, I can only offer this up. I met Bobby Petrino on a couple occasions in Dallas (brief exchanges both times). And he is exactly like you'd think he would be.

Ditto.  He wasn't rude; just not comfortable interacting with us.  You could tell.
Quote from: JIMMY BOARFFETT on June 29, 2018, 03:47:07 pm
I'm sure it's nothing that a $500 retainer can't fix.  Contact JackRabbit Hog for payment instructions.