Merv Jackson

[SeattleUte]

I became a Ute fan in late 1967 or early 1968 when my father took me to a game at Einer Nielsen Fieldhouse between the Utes and the New Mexico Lobos. I was a little kid, but so many things I remember clear as crystal, like yesterday. Merv "the Magician" Jackson, Don Denson, Walt Simon, Lyndon Mackay, Ron Cunningham, Jeff Ockel, etc. rallied from 7 down at half to beat no. 4 ranked and unbeaten New Mexico, by 8; Denson missed a layup on the last play of the game. It seemed that after every ref call against the Utes the fans would cover the floor below with garbage. They'd sweep it away like it was natural. The noise was ear splitting. I remember my dad pointing out Jack Gardner and Paul James, who for some reason was there seated nearby us, eating a fudge sickle.

Electrifying. It was my first college sports game, and I was hooked. My anti-BYU, apostate future was irrevocably, ineluctably set. I didn't understand this at the time, but the year before, Merv had led the Utes to the Final Four.

Later, when the ABA LA Stars moved to Utah, that Merv Jackson was one of that team's actual stars made the advent of the Utah Stars doubly sweet. He, with Zelmo Beatty and Willie Wise, led us to the ABA title, and he played in the ABA all-star game. I watched the Stars beat the Kentucky Colonels in game 7 in the Salt Palace.

I'm sad tonight to learn that Merv Jackson died on June 7 (just now being reported in the national press). I owe him a lot.

The Utes don't recruit guys like him anymore, probably because in 1965 Kentucky and its rivals only wanted white players (he was from Georgia).

http://m.savannahnow.com/sports/2012...mervin-jackson

[myboynoah]

Nice write-up SU. I remember Jackson as a Star as well.

[byu71]

,,,

I became a Ute fan in late 1967 or early 1968 when my father took me to a game at Einer Nielsen Fieldhouse between the Utes and the New Mexico Lobos. I was a little kid, but so many things I remember clear as crystal, like yesterday. Merv "the Magician" Jackson, Don Denson, Walt Simon, Lyndon Mackay, Ron Cunningham, Jeff Ockel, etc. rallied from 7 down at half to beat no. 4 ranked and unbeaten New Mexico, by 8; Denson missed a layup on the last play of the game. It seemed that after every ref call against the Utes the fans would cover the floor below with garbage. They'd sweep it away like it was natural. The noise was ear splitting. I remember my dad pointing out Jack Gardner and Paul James, who for some reason was there seated nearby us, eating a fudge sickle.

Electrifying. It was my first college sports game, and I was hooked. My anti-BYU, apostate future was irrevocably, ineluctably set. I didn't understand this at the time, but the year before, Merv had led the Utes to the Final Four.

Later, when the ABA LA Stars moved to Utah, that Merv Jackson was one of that team's actual stars made the advent of the Utah Stars doubly sweet. He, with Zelmo Beatty and Willie Wise, led us to the ABA title, and he played in the ABA all-star game. I watched the Stars beat the Kentucky Colonels in game 7 in the Salt Palace.

I'm sad tonight to learn that Merv Jackson died on June 7 (just now being reported in the national press). I owe him a lot.

The Utes don't recruit guys like him anymore, probably because in 1965 Kentucky and its rivals only wanted white players (he was from Georgia).

http://m.savannahnow.com/sports/2012...mervin-jackson

I enjoyed your post. I have great memories of going to some Ute games with my Dad. We saw Bill "the hill" McGill and Alan Holmes play. McGill was my first favorite player and if I think about it probably my all time favorite player.

I remember going to a game against a highly ranked Cincinnati team. I hadn't ever seen so many players dunking the ball. They bent the rim and the game started late. I can't remember the Utah players and I don't think that team had any big name players, but had a guard who shot lights out. They beat Cincinnati and it was obviously an experience with my Dad I will never forget.

I have one slight difference of opinion. I think Jerry Chambers was the leader of that final four team.

[Katy Lied]

Fascinating, which of your father's traditions you reject as ignorant superstition and which you sing paeans to.

[SeattleUte]

Fascinating, which of your father's traditions you reject as ignorant superstition and which you sing paeans to.

It's on the merits.

[SeattleUte]

,,,

I enjoyed your post. I have great memories of going to some Ute games with my Dad. We saw Bill "the hill" McGill and Alan Holmes play. McGill was my first favorite player and if I think about it probably my all time favorite player.

I remember going to a game against a highly ranked Cincinnati team. I hadn't ever seen so many players dunking the ball. They bent the rim and the game started late. I can't remember the Utah players and I don't think that team had any big name players, but had a guard who shot lights out. They beat Cincinnati and it was obviously an experience with my Dad I will never forget.

I have one slight difference of opinion. I think Jerry Chambers was the leader of that final four team.

That was Jack Gardner's second Final Four, actually. Jerry Changers was the biggest star on that team, but Jackson was a leader. Jackson may have had a better pro career.

[LA Ute]

Lots of memories of Merv. I was about 12 during that Final Four year and still remember how excited my buddies and I were. We'd play hoops in the driveway -- one of us would pretend to be Merv, the other would be Jerry Chambers. Good times.