Bill Olsen Gymnasium
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Dollar Bill was his nickname in the 80's. Because he drained the average fan of every dollar he could. I had several encounters with him back then and found him to be very condescending to students and the average fans. Pre 1980 national championship the student section was on the second level starting at the foul line going into the turn, not bad seats. After the Freedom Hall remodel students ended up behind the basket He claimed it was done to get the students closer to the floor when everyone knew it was for more $$$$
I knew Bill Olsen well. Served on a few board of trustees with him. He gave a lot of his time to charities, and turned U of L athletics into its own entity as opposed to to another department of the university. We would not have the athletics we have without him.
I played baseball in the mid 80’s. The athletic department was basketball. The only way to generate revenue was through basketball. What little money the other programs had was via basketball. I think that sums up the previous two post.
We practiced in Crawford with the basketball team. We would practice before them. We had portable mounds. One day a pitcher throws one in the “dirt” catcher misses it the ball skips drills Pervis in the leg. He goes down. At that point it wasn’t a matter of if we would be penalized it was what the penalty was going to be. We never practiced in Crawford Gym again, we were sent over to Broadbent. For younger fans they just don’t understand how far that University and program have come. It did start with basketball it was the athletic department and University. Olson was a big part of that.
We practiced in Crawford with the basketball team. We would practice before them. We had portable mounds. One day a pitcher throws one in the “dirt” catcher misses it the ball skips drills Pervis in the leg. He goes down. At that point it wasn’t a matter of if we would be penalized it was what the penalty was going to be. We never practiced in Crawford Gym again, we were sent over to Broadbent. For younger fans they just don’t understand how far that University and program have come. It did start with basketball it was the athletic department and University. Olson was a big part of that.
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