RIP Walt Hazzard - Passed Away Today After Long Illness

Legendary Bruin Walt Hazzard passed away at age 69. Our condolences to his family.

6 months ago freesia39 12 comments 0 recs |

Comments

Very sad news.

One of our greatest ever…

by daggy on Nov 18, 2011 5:10 PM PST reply actions

He was the MVP of the first championship team. He was the leader of the fast basketball Wooden loved. The story goes that he was one of the loudest fans of the football team while he was at UCLA. He married an UCLA cheerleader.

He was not a very good head coach for basketball but as someone who was around then I can say that was not all his fault. He came to UCLA intending to be an assistant coach and to help his beloved Bruins anyway he could.

Condolences to his family.

by DCBruins on Nov 18, 2011 5:35 PM PST reply actions

The 8-claps were different his senior year.

It went something like this (I may have the wrong order at the beginning)
Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap
Keith Clap, Clap, Clap
Jack Clap, Clap, Clap
Fred Clap, Clap, Clap
Gail Clap, Clap, Clap
Wal Ter Haz Zard Fight, fight fight.

He was a remarkable player. Both he and Goodrich seemed to have longer than usual arms. He was fun to watch. I’m privileged to have been able to watch him, and saddened at his passing.

by Fox 71 on Nov 18, 2011 5:45 PM PST reply actions

RIP

Thoughts and prayers with the Hazzard family from his extended Bruin family. One of the greatest Bruins ever. Hazzard was also always full of grace (even though the coaching stint didn’t work out for him).

Hope he gets to hang lot more banners now that he is back up there with Coach.

GO BRUINS.

by Nestor on Nov 18, 2011 5:46 PM PST reply actions

Our First Championship Point Guard

Thank you, Walt Hazzard for helping make UCLA Basketball Great!
May God Bless the Hazzard Family at this time.

U-C-L-A Fight, Fight, Fight! Go Bruins!
NBA: Where Greed Happens. RIP 10/10/11.

by Bruins78 on Nov 18, 2011 6:29 PM PST reply actions

Hazzard was magic

That year when he and Goodrich led the team to its first national championship was incredible. I was a senior in high school, and that team put UCLA on the map, for me.

Put it this way: if we had a floor general like Walt Hazzard leading the team today, we would be a 1000% better team. Rest in peace, Walter. Thank you for blazing a trail for us lifelong Bruins. And, dear Hazzard family, please know that when we Bruins look back at Walt Hazzard, it is with genuine appreciation and love.

by Bruinut on Nov 18, 2011 7:35 PM PST reply actions

Rest in peace

and thank you for sharing your greatness with UCLA.

Say hi to Coach!

But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.

by tasser10 on Nov 18, 2011 9:08 PM PST reply actions

+1

Very sad news. Prayers for Walt’s family.

I may work with the Waves, but I'm still a Bruin!
(Formerly "HoozierDaddy")

by BlueWave on Nov 19, 2011 10:45 AM PST up reply actions

Special Memories

When I think of college basketball, I think of Coach and the Hazzard team that brought home the first Championship.

Hazzard was magic on the court and a joy on campus — his big smile and unassuming way.

No sense of entitlement in those days, a true leader and team player, he will be missed by all of us who grew to love basketball while watching him play.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Nov 18, 2011 9:48 PM PST reply actions