David "Big Dave" Anderson - RIP

[vee4xu]

http://www.vindy.com/news/tributes/2014/nov/14/david-big-dave-anderso/

I check the obits from the Y-town area each day and relay any names to my mom that she may know. This obit was in today's rag. Have to admit, I don't recognize this person.

Anyone?

[vee4xu]

p.s. - to save some time, it says he played basketball for X.

[XU 87]

He was a JUCO and was in Bob Staak's first recruiting class along with Hicks, Hollins and Hanley. He was about 6'7" and could really jump. RIP, David.

[vee4xu]

Thanks, 87.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

Wow, '87. Good memory.

Dave Anderson was my age and would have been my year, or the year behind me if Staak brought him in.

I'm sorry I have no memory of the man or the player.

Very sad news, of course.

RIP Big Dave.

[XU 87]

I'm pretty sure he usually started at center along with Hanley (until he got kicked off the team, and then reinstated and then kicked off again). Hollins would usually come off the bench.

But Anderson truly was a new player at X- an athletic big man.

As I type this, a 6'9"center named Tom Condon, a transfer from Penn who followed Staak to X, would, for some reason, start at center during Staak's second year, and come out of the game after about two minutes. I think Anderson would then sub for him.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

All correct, especially Hanley ping-ponging his way on and off the team. Yeeesh.

I remember Tom Condon, sure. He's up here in Chicago, and still 6'9".

I remember Bob "Sky" King, too.

Hey, what are wakes for.

[XU 87]

Bob King- 7'00" tall and averaged 10 points a game in high school playing for a AA school. Supposedly, Tay Baker gave him a scholarship without ever watching him play.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

The same.

I'll poll some contemporaries who have the sense not to frequent these pages and may remember Big Dave.

Paging xu82 . . .

[XU 87]

For anyone wondering whatever happened to Jon Hanley.......


http://hoc.nhsclass.com/InductionCeremonies/2011/Bios/0090picand%20bioHanley.pdf

[xu82]

Bob King- 7'00" tall and averaged 10 points a game in high school playing for a AA school. Supposedly, Tay Baker gave him a scholarship without ever watching him play.

Well, that explains a lot. Apparently that's a bad idea. I remember Bob "Sky" King because we didn't have a lot of 7 footers on campus at the time. I actually felt bad for him because expectations were so high just because he's tall.

I don't remember Big Dave, but most of the guys I do remember were known for things that happened off the court they, umm, wouldn't want me getting into. And, since I was just as guilty, I won't. My not remembering him is probably a good reflection in him.

[xu82]

The same.

I'll poll some contemporaries who have the sense not to frequent these pages and may remember Big Dave.

Paging xu82 . . .


You know I don't have the sense to stay away...

[vee4xu]

Bob King- 7'00" tall and averaged 10 points a game in high school playing for a AA school. Supposedly, Tay Baker gave him a scholarship without ever watching him play.

Tay was the coach all four of my years at Xavier. Based on what I saw, I think Tay didn't see most of the players and was high when he did see the players to whom he offered scholarships. Except of course my good friend and classmate, Joe Sunderman. :biggrin:

[XURunner85]

How sad. I don't remember him playing. I remember Condon, because he graduated from my high school in Chicago area, he was in my brother's class. I also remember Hanley getting kicked off and reinstated and getting kicked off team. RIP Big Dave.

[xudash]

Bob King- 7'00" tall and averaged 10 points a game in high school playing for a AA school. Supposedly, Tay Baker gave him a scholarship without ever watching him play.

It's hard to describe Tay's passion for excellence.