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One last comment about Chet Walker....when the PJS called him to ask about his statements in the book, Chet readily admitted the words in his book were not exactly what he truly believed...
When given the chance, he did nothing but give praise to BU and the time he was in Peoria, although he later criticized the PJ Star for bringing up his debts.
"What has happened since his basketball career ended, though, hasn??™t been
as glorious. Walker went on to become a filmmaker in Hollywood and
produced an award-winning television documentary about Isiah Thomas??™
mother.
But he fell on hard times financially and called upon Stowell and other
Peorians for loans he never repaid.
Then in 1995, he wrote an autobiography called ??????Long Time Coming,??™??™ that
was critical of his time at Bradley, particularly of Coach Chuck Orsborn.
Walker portrayed Orsborn as a self-centered coach whose primary objective
was winning games and who cared little for the plight of Walker and other BU
black players trying to cope with the blatant racism of the day.
??????I think I came down a little too hard on Ozzie (Orsborn),??™??™ Walker told the
Journal Star upon the book??™s release. ??????Ozzie was a wonderful coach, but he
wasn??™t a very pleasant person to be around.??™???
Walker returned to speak at the BU preseason gala that fall.
"???Reflecting back on it, my whole experience in Peoria was very positive,??™??™ he
said at the time. ??????I wouldn??™t do it (over) any other way. I??™ve got a real
special feeling for the town.??™???
News of Walker??™s debts came to light publicly shortly thereafter in the Journal
Star.
When he was contacted eight years later to be interviewed for this story,
Walker refused to comment. ??????My character was assassinated by your paper,??™??™
he said.
Stowell, who said he had a ??????wonderful relationship??™??™ with Walker when he was
at BU, hasn??™t heard from him since.
??????We had him over to the house for about 150 meals,??™??™ Stowell said. ??????He liked
to come play with the kids and we were glad to have him. It??™s a shame it??™s
developed into what it??™s become the last 15 years.??™???
That??™s why Stowell??™s memories of Chet the Jet are of the 6-7 forward who
averaged 24.4 points at Bradley and 18.2 in a 13-year NBA career.
Said Walker at the conclusion of his gala speech: ??????I did a lot of growing up
while I was here and I really, really appreciate that. Bradley made the rest of
my life possible.??™??™
When given the chance, he did nothing but give praise to BU and the time he was in Peoria, although he later criticized the PJ Star for bringing up his debts.
"What has happened since his basketball career ended, though, hasn??™t been
as glorious. Walker went on to become a filmmaker in Hollywood and
produced an award-winning television documentary about Isiah Thomas??™
mother.
But he fell on hard times financially and called upon Stowell and other
Peorians for loans he never repaid.
Then in 1995, he wrote an autobiography called ??????Long Time Coming,??™??™ that
was critical of his time at Bradley, particularly of Coach Chuck Orsborn.
Walker portrayed Orsborn as a self-centered coach whose primary objective
was winning games and who cared little for the plight of Walker and other BU
black players trying to cope with the blatant racism of the day.
??????I think I came down a little too hard on Ozzie (Orsborn),??™??™ Walker told the
Journal Star upon the book??™s release. ??????Ozzie was a wonderful coach, but he
wasn??™t a very pleasant person to be around.??™???
Walker returned to speak at the BU preseason gala that fall.
"???Reflecting back on it, my whole experience in Peoria was very positive,??™??™ he
said at the time. ??????I wouldn??™t do it (over) any other way. I??™ve got a real
special feeling for the town.??™???
News of Walker??™s debts came to light publicly shortly thereafter in the Journal
Star.
When he was contacted eight years later to be interviewed for this story,
Walker refused to comment. ??????My character was assassinated by your paper,??™??™
he said.
Stowell, who said he had a ??????wonderful relationship??™??™ with Walker when he was
at BU, hasn??™t heard from him since.
??????We had him over to the house for about 150 meals,??™??™ Stowell said. ??????He liked
to come play with the kids and we were glad to have him. It??™s a shame it??™s
developed into what it??™s become the last 15 years.??™???
That??™s why Stowell??™s memories of Chet the Jet are of the 6-7 forward who
averaged 24.4 points at Bradley and 18.2 in a 13-year NBA career.
Said Walker at the conclusion of his gala speech: ??????I did a lot of growing up
while I was here and I really, really appreciate that. Bradley made the rest of
my life possible.??™??™
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