Johnny Orr Hilton Coliseum Videoboard Tribute

Prior to Iowa State's New Year's Eve game against Northern Illinois the Cyclones honored the legendary Johnny Orr with a video and moment of silence in Hilton Coliseum.

[jmichel]

I grew up in Ames and was a long suffering 'Clone basketball and football fan. In the 70's, there were games where only the bottom part of the arena had any fans at all. 
 I went to school there and worked at WOI TV when Johnny camed to ISU.
I had a chance to see the "Magic" at it's inception as a fan, and as the guy who carried the cable for the camera man on the floor. It's was euphoric.
I never met him, but I remember him coming to the TV studio to do his show once. He had that ear to ear grin and was having a ball. He even brought wine, as a gift to the crew.
I haven't been to Hilton since 1985 and decided this was the year I get back. The N. Illinois game was my best shot. We took some of the last available tickets. I wanted my wife to feel an ISU basketball game. I wanted her to fall in love with Ames. I wanted to go back home. 
Minutes before leaving I heard the news.
To see Hilton packed like that, that heartbreaking tribute, Fred's pain, the fans pain,
my pain, it was a feeling of graditude mixed with anguish.
The moment of silence almost made me show the tears I was surpressing. 14, 000 people that included many, many small children, and you could hear a pin drop.
I loved that Johnny loved Ames. Hard to describe to people at other places where I've lived, but Ames is an Oasis. Johnny fit there perfectly.  

[beckymontgomery]

Johnny Orr was my dad!! I always love the Johnny Orr posts!

[raywolfrd]

Coach Orr doesn't give himself due credit for the early years at ISU.  The fact that a coach from a premier basketball school in Michigan in a premier conference in the Big 10 in 1981 would come to ISU was an immediate boost to fans who knew basketball.  His charisma, leadership, and coaching abilities are a rare combination to be found in the sport, and we were lucky enough to have him at our school.  Thank you Coach Orr and family, and God bless.

[MadirdTiger]

Even us Hawkeyes loved Johnny's charisma! No one like him!

[theburlyone]

You were the best Coach Orr... On behalf of Iowa, Thank you.

[ZeroBeat]

Won't be the same without you, Johnny.

[markkness]

Everything changed for the Cyclone basketball world when ISU hired Johnny Orr.