Rick Mount coming to Mackey on Saturday
- Thread starter *4purdue*
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This is the best news I have had in awhile.I was working on that Saturday afternoon in 1970 when The Rocket scored 61 against Iowa and a guy I knew came by to tell me about the game after it was over.I am very excited to say that I will be in attendance this Saturday evening to see the Mount family and it will be great!Boiler up.
I don't think the Boilers need any luck to win this weekend...........but if Mount brings some with him, then great LOL
Happy for you Tigerchump!
Happy for you Tigerchump!
Very excited as well...was already going to be a great environment on Saturday evening, but this will make it more so and a bit more special as well.
Anyone know the last time that he attended a game at Mackey? I know that he had been at several of the summer basketball camps over the years, but don't know that he was ever there after Rich had played and then left. He worked with some guys (Byrd maybe the last?) I know individually as well (Parkinson also), and I remember him being on radio several times when E'Twaun, JaJuan and Robbie were there, but I don't know the last time he actually attended a game at Mackey...Rich has been back I know...and I believe Rich was roommates with Matt Painter his freshman year.
Anyone know the last time that he attended a game at Mackey? I know that he had been at several of the summer basketball camps over the years, but don't know that he was ever there after Rich had played and then left. He worked with some guys (Byrd maybe the last?) I know individually as well (Parkinson also), and I remember him being on radio several times when E'Twaun, JaJuan and Robbie were there, but I don't know the last time he actually attended a game at Mackey...Rich has been back I know...and I believe Rich was roommates with Matt Painter his freshman year.
I will never forget the "buzz" as soon as he received a pass. Oh the anticipation once he received a pass. The cheer when a shot went in and the sign/groan when he missed. Awesome to watch. Wish I could be there!
I was at the game in 1970 -- the refs were complete jackasses for calling the tech on the crowd. No way something like that should have factored into such a great game! The paper airplane came from the direction of where the few Iowa fans were sitting, but I don't know that anyone saw who threw it? As I recall, the crowd let out a collective groan when the plane became visible because we knew what would result. I also recall that Vidnovic had a great game for Iowa.
Iowa probably had the "slightly" better team as Gilliam and Keller had graduated. I remember the ref grabbed George King and wanted him to go to the scorer talk to the crowd. He refused. And, yes, I swear the paper came from Iowa section.
I don't go all the way back to Rick's days at Purdue, but I did get the assignment to guard Rich back in a middle school game. It was 7th or 8th grade and we (Sunny Side) traveled to Lebanon for a road game. I had no idea who Mount was much less is kid. I just remember the coach telling me I had to stay on Rich like a wet blanket. I don't even remember how well I did, but seeing the reaction of the coach and the parents I was sure that I did pretty well. My dad told me that Rick was watching the game and how proud my dad wad was. Again, at a 7th or 8th grader it was just another game (day). My small claim to fame in the religion I grew up in.
Now that I think about my previous post I was thinking about a time about three years ago when I was shooting around at the club my wife and I belong to. I was shooting with Jason Maravich son of Pete Maravich. As we talked I asked him if he knew who Rich Mount was. He said he had heard the name but could not place him. When I told him that a lot of people believed that Mount was a better shooter than his dad, he said ok now I know who you are talking about. Funny how some things in life come full circle. A die hard Purdue Basketball fan shooting around with a Maravich.
I was at the game. I think the worst officiated game I've ever seen. They had pretty much fouled out the Purdue starters. Mount was unbelievable but the better team was the previous year with Gilliam and Keller.
Great to hear; enjoy the game TC....will be looking forward to seeing a rousing Mackey Arena welcome home to the Rocket on Saturday!
If it helps with a great atmosphere then I'm fine with it. Otherwise I really don't care about Rick Mount being there. His actions/non-actions over the past decades have tainted him for me. I'm going to the game and Mount being there isn't any interest to me at all.
Ibodel: I'm the wet blanket on this one!!
Ibodel: I'm the wet blanket on this one!!
No matter what or why Rick has distanced himself from Purdue it is time to bring him back and make him feel at home. Yankee Stadium was the "House that Ruth built" and Mackey is the "House that Mount built". It is important to the history of the program to be inclusive of those that played a role in what, who and where we are today. Much like the history of baseball would be more complete if Cooperstown acknowledged the accomplishments of Shoeless Joe and Pete, Purdue BB history will not be complete until Mount understands that he is important to our history and feels welcome and at home in Mackey again.
Good to hear. Maybe he can give some shooting lessons before the game...
Totally agreed - I've been saying for years that we need to bring him "home". Purdue can always do a better job of embracing its past athletes.
He's an odd guy , cut from a different cloth - but he's the real deal. Regardless of past issues, they need to be closed.
Welcome home, Rick
My understanding is that he has always been "welcome" but chose to be the odd duck that he is. If I'm wrong on that and PU has somehow "kept" him away all these years then I stand corrected.
Either way I won't continue to be the wet blanket.... I'm hoping that his introduction will fire up the crowd even more and paves the way for a big win against a good Iowa team!!!
Exactly, need a boiler win. Between Rick at Mackey and Leroy at Ross Ade, we had a real nice run. Hopefully our 3 point shooting will on fire!
LOL, I bet a lot of us thought this same remark.Good to hear. Maybe he can give some shooting lessons before the game...
Doesn't he still have that freshman year of eligibility left LOL?
Judging from the tweets and the Greg Doyel Indy Star story his grandson has been some of the grease in the workings to get him to Mackey. Kudos.
I heard he came to a game once but there were some people in his seats, so he got very angry and vowed never to return to Mackey.
Ok, I know that was TIC given the past few days of posts, but I still actually laughed out loud! Thanks.
That said, I hope Mount comes back, has a great night, and re-establishes his relationship with Purdue. Could be a special year for all Boilers.
Had the privilege, as did other posters, of attending a few Purdue basketball camps during which Mount gave his shooting lecture and demonstration. His mechanics were (are) so pure it was almost unbelievable. To this day I have never seen anyone with a jump shot as exquisite as Rick Mount's - the power he generated on his jump, the height of that jump, the perfect form and follow through.
My dad (BS 1969, MS 1972) said, correctly, that the opportunity to listen to and watch Mount shoot a basketball was worth the cost of the entire week of basketball camp alone.
It is unfortunate to say the least how Rick reacted to Woody Austin getting to wear number 10, and how Richie Mount's lack of playing time soured Rick's attitude toward Purdue basketball. I have no idea what was said between Rick and Gene Keady, nor what, if any, efforts, we're made to honor him at Mackey before now, nor why Rick may have rebuffed such efforts.
I do know this: All of that is irrelevant now. One of the most legendary figures of Purdue basketball will be at Mackey Arena and will receive an ovation long due him for all that he gave to the program: 2,323 points in 72 games, All-America honors, a conference championship, national runners-up. May that ovation be loud, sustained, and appreciative. May it be one of the loudest ever heard in Mackey Arena. Thanks to any and all who made it happen, including The Rocket.
Wonderful post.I will yell for as long and loudly as my 63 year old lungs will let me .I have been a Purdue fan for over 50 years and there are three people in that span that in my humble opinion will always be immortals in Boilermaker basketball lore:Rick Mount,Gene Keady and Glenn Robinson.
Worth a try except the NCAA would take a year to decide. They would be sooo confused.
Yes sir. Awe hell, I say it give a try...........they may not even notice either! My only question would be, would Mount wear the long shorts w/tag sticking out..........or the classic short shorts?
That's a good question. I think whatever he wants. We want to keep him happy now.
How cool would it be if we came out wearing Mount-era uniforms on Saturday, instead of the pedestrian Nike crap we are shackled into wearing nowadays?
I was a 13 year old, fresh from watching Leroy Keyes' great junior year when I negotiated a long period of chores for my mom to use her ticket to the opening night of Purdue Arena on December 2, 1967. My dad told me about this coach named Wooden that was a star at Purdue many years before I was born and he coached a great team with a 7 foot center named Alcindor.
My dad parked the car across from the Purdue Fieldhouse on the street heading towards the fountain. We walked past the "temporary" barracks turned into classrooms, I remember the crisp cold air and the excitement as we walked past the fieldhouse and towards the brightly lit arena's entrance B.
Not only was this the dedication of Purdue Arena, but it was the coming out party for the blonde bomber from Lebanon. First game I saw Rick play was in the fieldhouuse against my high school team in the Lafayette Regional. Although we lost, one of our guards held Rick to only 27 points. I was impressed when our guard fouled out and was sitting on the bench when Rick sprinted from his bench to come down and shake our player's hand.
I watched a few of his freshman games at the fieldhouse the year before, so I knew this night would be memorable. As my dad and I made our way to section 102 row 15, the sights and sounds of the arena buzzing was nothing I had ever seen at Purdue for basketball. The game itself was a well played tough one and Purdue had the ball with Rick at the line for a one and one plus a technical foul shot. He missed the front end of the one and one, but hit the technical to tie it. Purdue got the ball with around 20 seconds left and held it for the last shot. Rick got the ball and settle behind a pick in front of us and lofted his baseline jumper. I was lined up perfectly to watch the ball in the air which hit the front of the rim and bounded towards the UCLA basket. It was like slow motion when Bill Sweek took three dribbles and let it fly from 25 feet. Swish right through the bottom of the net.
Luckily, I was eye witness to an exact same shot up in Madison Wisconsin in the NCAA Regional final against Marquette. This time it was Rick that was celebrating with his teammates. On to the Final Four.
I saw many games in those three years Rick played and still hear the crowd yell "Shoot" every time he touched the ball. The most beautiful shot I have ever seen. On a side note, I am still p***d at Slick Leonard for ruining his Pacer years.
Each year in December, The memory of that December night in 1967 still takes me back to once again being 13 and sitting with my father. This year, it is tougher since he passed away in October. Even in September, he smiled when we talked about The Rocket.
Welcome back Rick, even though in my mind you were never away,
My dad parked the car across from the Purdue Fieldhouse on the street heading towards the fountain. We walked past the "temporary" barracks turned into classrooms, I remember the crisp cold air and the excitement as we walked past the fieldhouse and towards the brightly lit arena's entrance B.
Not only was this the dedication of Purdue Arena, but it was the coming out party for the blonde bomber from Lebanon. First game I saw Rick play was in the fieldhouuse against my high school team in the Lafayette Regional. Although we lost, one of our guards held Rick to only 27 points. I was impressed when our guard fouled out and was sitting on the bench when Rick sprinted from his bench to come down and shake our player's hand.
I watched a few of his freshman games at the fieldhouse the year before, so I knew this night would be memorable. As my dad and I made our way to section 102 row 15, the sights and sounds of the arena buzzing was nothing I had ever seen at Purdue for basketball. The game itself was a well played tough one and Purdue had the ball with Rick at the line for a one and one plus a technical foul shot. He missed the front end of the one and one, but hit the technical to tie it. Purdue got the ball with around 20 seconds left and held it for the last shot. Rick got the ball and settle behind a pick in front of us and lofted his baseline jumper. I was lined up perfectly to watch the ball in the air which hit the front of the rim and bounded towards the UCLA basket. It was like slow motion when Bill Sweek took three dribbles and let it fly from 25 feet. Swish right through the bottom of the net.
Luckily, I was eye witness to an exact same shot up in Madison Wisconsin in the NCAA Regional final against Marquette. This time it was Rick that was celebrating with his teammates. On to the Final Four.
I saw many games in those three years Rick played and still hear the crowd yell "Shoot" every time he touched the ball. The most beautiful shot I have ever seen. On a side note, I am still p***d at Slick Leonard for ruining his Pacer years.
Each year in December, The memory of that December night in 1967 still takes me back to once again being 13 and sitting with my father. This year, it is tougher since he passed away in October. Even in September, he smiled when we talked about The Rocket.
Welcome back Rick, even though in my mind you were never away,
