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.
Mr. Olsen was my biology instructor at Westport High School when he was coach of the JV BB team. He was class act then and set high standards for us young men. My younger brothers played for him when he coached the varsity teams.
He even showed up for our 50th high school reunion. Go Warhawks.
BTW he did an outstanding job at U of L. Go Mr. William Olsen.
He even showed up for our 50th high school reunion. Go Warhawks.
BTW he did an outstanding job at U of L. Go Mr. William Olsen.
I agree 100% basketball drove the bus in athletics back then. Bill helped with the driving, the nest egg Tom Jurich had to create what he did can from the money the basketball, and small part, football produced. All I am saying is a lot of that money came from stomping on the average fan and students. Students had a $25 athletic fee per semester built into in their tuition and most never realized that . Doesn't see like much until you consider tuition was around $365 per semester at that time and most students did not even go to games. Being pushed out of good seats so they could be sold for more money is just another small example, but all the small things add up. I realize that is just the way the world works, but just be honest and clear about it, not try to blow smoke. Also during that time, in the Metro conference, basketball kept all the revenue generated by tournament appearances. A stroke of Bill Olsen finical genius, as we were the most dominate team in the conference. Of course as the other teams got better they bailed, wanting their share, and the Metro imploded. What was a strong conference became junk. Of course that didn't matter because we had a Hall of Fame coach and players or did it? By then we had bled the well dry as possible, the ends justifying the means. . I would rather see a building named after one of the great players of that era. Without them none of the program/money building is possible.
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