Legendary American Muhammad Ali, at one time probably the most famous human being in the world, and one of the greatest showmen in history, has died due to complications from respiratory issues. Very sad times.

He is the first, and as far as I know the only, honorary member of Wiess College. I was there when he received his Wiess College tie.

Ali has passed. Another icon of the golden years of American culture is gone.

Honorary Wiessman... Never knew that. Wiess is, as ever, brilliant.

(06-03-2016 11:02 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  He is the first, and as far as I know the only, honorary member of Wiess College. I was there when he received his Wiess College tie.

Here is Melissa Kean's story about that:
https://ricehistorycorner.com/2013/03/11...s-commons/

Thanks, George. Super cool:



Rest in peace, Champ.

RIP GOAT.

As a Wiessman, I can't believe I didn't know that story - that's like not knowing that JFK spoke at HRS! Thanks 69 and George.

RIP. Parkinson's isn't a fun illness and he had to fight it for quite awhile. At least he isn't suffering anymore.

(06-04-2016 12:44 AM)georgewebb Wrote:  

(06-03-2016 11:02 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  He is the first, and as far as I know the only, honorary member of Wiess College. I was there when he received his Wiess College tie.

Here is Melissa Kean's story about that:
https://ricehistorycorner.com/2013/03/11...s-commons/

Direct link to the Thresher article, thanks to Almaden. It's on page 5, I think.

https://scholarship.rice.edu/bitstream/h...sequence=1

(06-04-2016 12:44 AM)georgewebb Wrote:  

(06-03-2016 11:02 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  He is the first, and as far as I know the only, honorary member of Wiess College. I was there when he received his Wiess College tie.

Here is Melissa Kean's story about that:
https://ricehistorycorner.com/2013/03/11...s-commons/

Hate to go OT on this thread, but Melissa Kean's Right History Corner is, as always, a treasure.

(06-04-2016 08:08 AM)JOwl Wrote:  

(06-04-2016 12:44 AM)georgewebb Wrote:  

(06-03-2016 11:02 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  He is the first, and as far as I know the only, honorary member of Wiess College. I was there when he received his Wiess College tie.

Here is Melissa Kean's story about that:
https://ricehistorycorner.com/2013/03/11...s-commons/

Hate to go OT on this thread, but Melissa Kean's Right History Corner is, as always, a treasure.

Praise for Melissa and her Rice History Corner is never OT. :-)

Prior to his Houston fights I went several times to his sparring/workout sessions at the Astrohall.

Given Ali's history with fighting in Houston, and this being Foreman's hometown, I've always wondered why they didn't fight in the Dome instead of Africa.

(06-04-2016 02:07 PM)MJY Wrote:  Given Ali's history with fighting in Houston, and this being Foreman's hometown, I've always wondered why they didn't fight in the Dome instead of Africa.

"The Set-To on the Bayou"?

Work with me...

(06-04-2016 02:07 PM)MJY Wrote:  Given Ali's history with fighting in Houston, and this being Foreman's hometown, I've always wondered why they didn't fight in the Dome instead of Africa.

Don King got way more money from Zaire.

(06-04-2016 02:36 PM)georgewebb Wrote:  

(06-04-2016 02:07 PM)MJY Wrote:  Given Ali's history with fighting in Houston, and this being Foreman's hometown, I've always wondered why they didn't fight in the Dome instead of Africa.

"The Set-To on the Bayou"?

Work with me...

Certainly not as large of a venue but Dallas could just as well have hosted in its downtown Convention Center.

Yes that's right, "The Thrilla on Marilla".

Well since Ali was an honorary Wiess man, this topic isn't OT at all. RIP champ.

Gordie Howe dies today too (age 88). He of course has Houston ties as well. Between the musicians and sports figures deaths, 2016 has been a rough year.

I remember Ali's visit, but I didn't learn about it until later in the day. Ironically, I was walking down the sidewalk next to Wiess when I got a report on the appearance two hours too late to go. My friend mentioned that a certain Wiessman of my acquaintance, a football player known for walking across the campus while playing a harmonica (badly), had heckled Ali and Ali responded by asking said Wiessman if he wanted to come up and knock the chip off Ali's shoulder. Barry Kaplan doesn't mention that in his report to the Thresher. Now I wonder if it happened.

(06-10-2016 10:17 AM)elf owl Wrote:  I remember Ali's visit, but I didn't learn about it until later in the day. Ironically, I was walking down the sidewalk next to Wiess when I got a report on the appearance two hours too late to go. My friend mentioned that a certain Wiessman of my acquaintance, a football player known for walking across the campus while playing a harmonica (badly), had heckled Ali and Ali responded by asking said Wiessman if he wanted to come up and knock the chip off Ali's shoulder. Barry Kaplan doesn't mention that in his report to the Thresher. Now I wonder if it happened.

From a post on Facebook:

" Ali was fighting Erie Terrell at the Astrodome.1966. After sparring, he came to Rice to speak and answer questions from about 400 students.His charisma and intelligence were very evident.After his speech he walked down a double line of students, shaking hands and signing autographs. Standing next to me was Jethro Meeks,a 6' 5" football player.Ali sized him up ,pulled a pencil from his pocket, put it on his own shoulder and dared Jethro to knock it off.Jethro politely declined."

(06-10-2016 11:15 AM)WestGrayStreetOwl Wrote:  

(06-10-2016 10:17 AM)elf owl Wrote:  I remember Ali's visit, but I didn't learn about it until later in the day. Ironically, I was walking down the sidewalk next to Wiess when I got a report on the appearance two hours too late to go. My friend mentioned that a certain Wiessman of my acquaintance, a football player known for walking across the campus while playing a harmonica (badly), had heckled Ali and Ali responded by asking said Wiessman if he wanted to come up and knock the chip off Ali's shoulder. Barry Kaplan doesn't mention that in his report to the Thresher. Now I wonder if it happened.

From a post on Facebook:

" Ali was fighting Erie Terrell at the Astrodome.1966. After sparring, he came to Rice to speak and answer questions from about 400 students.His charisma and intelligence were very evident.After his speech he walked down a double line of students, shaking hands and signing autographs. Standing next to me was Jethro Meeks,a 6' 5" football player.Ali sized him up ,pulled a pencil from his pocket, put it on his own shoulder and dared Jethro to knock it off.Jethro politely declined."

Thanks for the clarification. I got a different version from my friend, the name of the large person I heard was another guy, not Jethro. I guess he wasn't being heckled after all or maybe there was a heckler and the Jethro encounter too. I trust the eyewitness. Pretty hard to miss the detail when you're standing right next to the guy.