http://m.courierpress.com/news/2010/jul/04/memorable-moments-at-roberts-stadium/
COMMUNITY COMMENT: Memorable moments at Roberts Stadium
ED COLE SPECIAL TO THE COURIER & PRESS
Published Sunday, July 4, 2010
Now that Roberts Stadium is entering its last year of existence, it is time to reflect on the many events that have happened there. There are so many wonderful memories for those of us who have been around since its beginning.
I was a senior at Central High School when the stadium opened in 1956. Since then, I have seen 10 to 15 events a year, mostly college and high school basketball. Here is my top 10 list of events attended.
1. The University of Evansville vs. Southern Illinois University, 1965. It was the championship game of the NCAA tournament and the Aces defeated the Salukis, 85-82 in overtime to complete a 29-0 season and its fourth NCAA championship.
The two teams played three times that year and only five points separated them. The Aces were led by Larry Humes and Jerry Sloan while Walt Frazier carried the Salukis. Both Sloan and Frazier went on to outstanding NBA careers.
2. Garth Brooks, 1998. Garth Mania hit Evansville as thousands of fans stood in lines for hours to buy tickets as Brooks sold out one concert, a second and finally a third.
3. UE's first NCAA championship, 1959. There is always something special about a first and this is the team that started the huge Aces fan base. The Aces were led by Ed Smallwood, Hugh Ahlering, Harold Cox, Larry Erwin, Mel Lurker and Dale Wise. They manhandled Missouri State 83-67 for the championship.
4. Lawrence Welk, 1957. OK. I am not really a Welk fan, but I was part of the record-breaking crowd of 13,000 plus to watch the sold out show.
Incidentally, I didn't know at the time, but it was the first time I saw my future wife as Welk introduced his local "Miss Champaign Lady" (Sharon Frohbieter). I married her five years later and now you know why I rank the story so highly.
5. Scott Haffner, 1989. The hot-shooting guard poured in 65 points in a win against Dayton in an incredible performance that still stands as the all-time scoring record at Roberts Stadium.
It was also the most points scored in any NCAA Division I game in the 1980s.
6. NCAA Midwest Basketball Regional, 1982. The stadium hosted Bobby Knight's Indiana Hoosiers, Denny Crum's Louisville Cardinals, Marquette, Tennessee, The University of Alabama-Birmingham and Oklahoma.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers exhibition basketball game, 1978. The city was still reeling from the tragic airplane crash that claimed the UE basketball team when the Pittsburgh Steelers football team volunteered to play an exhibition basketball game here. The game started the healing process the city so desperately needed.
8. UE vs. the University of Southern Indiana, 2004. It was only an exhibition basketball game, but you could not tell it from the sold out crowd that had been begging for the game to be played. The Aces won 88-75.
9. UE vs. Kentucky Wesleyan, 1960. The game drew a stadium record crowd of 13,913 as the Aces defeated a King Kelly Coleman Wesleyan team 93-87.
10. First stadium high school sectional, 1957. The Lincoln Lions led by Charlie Vance and Ted Landers won the first sectional played at the Stadium. It was the first time the sectional was played outside of the old Central Gym and tickets were available. Until that time, it was almost impossible to get a sectional ticket.
I have many other memories that didn't make this list, such as the many Shrine Circuses, President Ronald Reagan, Neil Diamond, Sonny and Cher, Frank Sinatra, the Gaithers and the three other Aces NCAA titles. (What, no rock concerts?) But these were my top 10. What are yours?
As Roberts Stadium enters its last year, I can fondly say in Bob Hope's words, "Thanks for the memories!"
Ed Cole is a resident of Evansville.
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