I have followed Junior from the time Denny signed him out of East Chicago Washington, after watching his #1 recruit and Junior’s HS teammate Pete Trgovich sign with UCLA. It was easy following Junior, as he was not only the owner of those many local Wendy’s restaurants, it was not uncommon to see him working inside the one at the corner of Bardstown RD and Grinstead, as he was demonstrating the leadership that was a significant ingredient of his life.
Perhaps what serves for me as an indication as to just how special Junior was as a human being, was witnessing the very long term and close relationship that Junior had with Bob Russell at SECC. Bridgeman was truly a man of faith with incredible integrity, most humble and caring for those around him.
His 12-15 ft “off the class bank shots” while at UL will remain etched in my memory, but it was his life after basketball that is a testament to what a great person that he was.
