Seeing the new DePaul jerseys made me think back to when I was kid and got an autograph from Ray and Joey Meyer at a local Sportmart. There was no one there so my dad, brother and I got to talk to Ray and Joey for a bit. I was about 7 so it wasn't like we were talking x's and o's but they were really nice people, spent a good 10 minutes talking with us about DePaul and sports in general. I still remember him telling me I'd make a good PF - too bad I never grew past 6'2"

A few years later Ray remembered me when I saw him at Soldier Field before the Bears/49ers playoff game. He was like - I remember signing an autograph for you a few years ago. Shocked the hell out of me.

I still have that picture and autographs somewhere at my folks.

Ray was just a straight out great dude. Can you think of a current hall of fame college coach who was as approachable as the original Coach?

My dad always wanted a copy of his Ray Meyer book from the 80's autographed. He always put it off. Two years ago I thought to myself, better get it now. Anyway my wife called the Athletic Department to see if he did autographs. They put her on hold for a minute and who answers but the man himself. He told her to come on by to his office whenever she had time. She brought my boy with her and Ray asked to take pictures with them and wanted to give them anything he could. He was a great guy. I semi knew some of his grandkids and he was apparently a great grandfather as well. Everyone who went to his basketball camps always came back with stories about how tough but friendly he was. He always seemed focused on what was best for kids.

I canot speak highly enough about Ray Meyer.

Awesome stories about a really, really good guy. They don't make them like Ray Meyer anymore.

_________________
1923-1927-1928-1932-1936-1937-1938-1939
1941-1943-1947-1949-1950-1951-1952-1953
1956-1958-1961-1962-1977-1978-1996-1998
1999-2000-2009
----------
XXI - XXV - XLII - XLVI

I agree with SR--fantastic stories. It's amazing how important Ray Meyer and DePaul basketball were to the city in the 70s. His teams were really woven into the fabric of the city's identity. The city itself was so different then--the Lincoln Park campus was much closer to the Chicago of Studs Terkel's Division Street: America than the urban theme park it has become. The Chicago of that era is in many ways a lost world, and Ray Meyer is an important figure in it. A very interesting work of nonfiction or fiction could be written about that moment in Chicago sports and cultural history.

_________________

lol

Got some REALLY "SURPRISING" Ray Stories.

Was good friends with some players at DePaul and got to hang with "The Real Ray" after some pickup games.

Hung with Joey all the time as well. I lived directly acorss from Alumni Hall during my DPU days and spent many hours hooping.

_________________
"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

Big Fan: I pray that these stories are favorable to the man's reputation and do not involve methamphetamines and male prostitutes.

_________________
1923-1927-1928-1932-1936-1937-1938-1939
1941-1943-1947-1949-1950-1951-1952-1953
1956-1958-1961-1962-1977-1978-1996-1998
1999-2000-2009
----------
XXI - XXV - XLII - XLVI

Nothing terrible, but yes, well out of character. I was actually kind of shocked! It's like I had to turn my head twice to make sure I was sitting with ray.

I will tell them at the eventual Elks Club meeting

_________________
"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

Ray could have some salty language and his opinions were not always of the nice grandfatherly type. However, none of his character flaws are anything that would detract from his legacy.

My boys went to Coach Ray's camp several years in a row. I asked my now 22 year old too hip stepson recently who was the best person he's ever met so far in life. Without hesitation, he said Coach Ray.

funny thing Coast is some of the stories are from his camp...lol

Like I said none of it was things that was really bad, just totally out of character and 'salty' is one way to put it. lol

_________________
"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

ah.....to be 22 and too hip for the room.....

_________________
@audioidkid