UCLA Plans Grateful Dead-Inspired Tribute For Late Basketball Legend Bill Walton

UCLA will honor the late Bill Walton with a tribute befitting of the beloved Deadhead during the men’s basketball team’s home game against Ohio State on February 23. The Basketball Hall of Famer, who was a member of UCLA’s championship teams in 1972 and 1973, died of cancer in May at age 71.

Bill Walton’s life and legacy will be the focus of a halftime ceremony and other tributes throughout the matchup at Pauley Pavilion. Special tie-dye t-shirts made for the occasion will be distributed to fans attending the game. Additionally, a commemorative poster honoring Walton will be given to attendees.

“It’s a difficult reality to know we’re getting ready to start a basketball season in Westwood without Bill’s presence,” men’s coach Mick Cronin said in a statement as reported by ESPN. “He will forever be an icon in our great game, and his memory will forever live on at UCLA.”

Bill Walton spent three years as the starting center on UCLA’s varsity team during which the Bruins went 86 – 4. Walton took home three Academic All-American awards while at the school and was crucial to the Bruins’ perfect seasons in 1972 and 1973.

In 1974, Bill Walton was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft. Walton’s professional career lasted through his retirement in 1998 and saw him win two NBA championships. The La Mesa, California native then found success as a sportscaster. CBS will televise the game nationally.

Bill Walton’s other passion was music and he attended hundreds of Grateful Dead and band offshoot concerts. He famously took his Boston Celtics teammates to see the Dead perform at Worcester, Massachusetts’ Centrum in 1985.