Kent State Golden Flashes

Hello There, Guest! (LoginRegister)

Post Reply 
Big John Whorton Passes
Author Message
Old Man Flash Offline
Bench Warmer
*

Posts: 228
Joined: Dec 2022
Reputation: 0
I Root For: Kent State
Location:
Post: #1
Big John Whorton Passes
One of our best ever, Big John Whorton has passed away. He had been in poor the health the past few years.

A remarkable “project success story” under Coach Waters. John transformed his body into a near chiseled 250lb post with solid footwork and toughness. He along with Ed Norvell were key players who really got it all started with our 1st NCAA Tournament team back in ‘99.

Rest in peace Big John
(This post was last modified: 01-29-2023 07:23 PM by Old Man Flash.)
01-29-2023 07:07 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Advertisement


cleveland Offline
1st String
*

Posts: 1,978
Joined: Jan 2016
Reputation: 19
I Root For: basketball
Location:
Post: #2
RE: Big John Whorton Passes
(01-29-2023 07:07 PM)Old Man Flash Wrote:  One of our best ever, Big John Whorton has passed away. He had been in poor the health the past few years.

A remarkable “project success story” under Coach Waters. John transformed his body into a near chiseled 250lb post with solid footwork and toughness. He along with Ed Norvell were key players who really got it all started with our 1st NCAA Tournament team back in ‘99.

Rest in peace Big John ?

Rest in great peace:

Ed Norvell gave him his nickname when he arrived at Kent, a near 300-pounder from Columbus. "He looks like a Pope."

Whorton went on to change his body as you said, and had 'Pope' tatooed on his arm. His footwork may still be the best ever in the post at Kent. Another signature was the 'post break' Waters used to get Whorton easy baskets out of a fast break.

Still one of the best recruiting classes ever at Kent that included Kyrem Massey, Al Moore and a PG I can't remember, all from Columbus.
Called themselves 'The 4 Horsemen.'
(This post was last modified: 01-29-2023 07:55 PM by cleveland.)
01-29-2023 07:18 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
bopol Offline
All American
*

Posts: 2,635
Joined: May 2004
Reputation: 17
I Root For:
Location:
Post: #3
RE: Big John Whorton Passes
That is so sad. He was such a good player and a great representative of Kent State Athletics. I think he was the best center the club ever had (including Edwards and Gerwig). I don't know what to say. Rest in Peace, Pope.
01-29-2023 07:23 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Muskrat Offline
1st String
*

Posts: 2,290
Joined: Oct 2008
Reputation: 8
I Root For: Kent State
Location:
Post: #4
RE: Big John Whorton Passes
Very sad news. I know he had a very severe case of COVID-19 a few years ago.
01-29-2023 07:41 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
fordflash25 Offline
Water Engineer
*

Posts: 30
Joined: Dec 2016
Reputation: 0
I Root For: KSU
Location: Kent
Post: #5
RE: Big John Whorton Passes
Well-written rememberance by Trevor Huffman. https://trevor-huffman.medium.com/the-st...a6535f968f
01-31-2023 02:47 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Muskrat Offline
1st String
*

Posts: 2,290
Joined: Oct 2008
Reputation: 8
I Root For: Kent State
Location:
Post: #6
RE: Big John Whorton Passes
(01-31-2023 02:47 PM)fordflash25 Wrote:  Well-written rememberance by Trevor Huffman. https://trevor-huffman.medium.com/the-st...a6535f968f

Thanks for posting that. It's great.

Not only did Huffman decide not to quit, he ended up third on the team in PPG! I remember when I read that Scott Effertz decided to quit basketball, I was disappointed. because i thought he was a decent guard off the bench. Little did I know what the end result would be. I also remember the tiny article in the paper about Huffman signing. I showed it to a friend and we both thought he sounded like a stiff! LOL Waters and that group he brought in plus Norvel who was a Grube recruit built a foundation we are still enjoying all these years later.
(This post was last modified: 01-31-2023 04:30 PM by Muskrat.)
01-31-2023 04:18 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Advertisement


cleveland Offline
1st String
*

Posts: 1,978
Joined: Jan 2016
Reputation: 19
I Root For: basketball
Location:
Post: #7
RE: Big John Whorton Passes
(01-31-2023 04:18 PM)Muskrat Wrote:  
(01-31-2023 02:47 PM)fordflash25 Wrote:  Well-written rememberance by Trevor Huffman. https://trevor-huffman.medium.com/the-st...a6535f968f

Thanks for posting that. It's great.

Not only did Huffman decide not to quit, he ended up third on the team in PPG! I remember when I read that Scott Effertz decided to quit basketball, I was disappointed. because i thought he was a decent guard off the bench. Little did I know what the end result would be. I also remember the tiny article in the paper about Huffman signing. I showed it to a friend and we both thought he sounded like a stiff! LOL Waters and that group he brought in plus Norvel who was a Grube recruit built a foundation we are still enjoying all these years later.


Somewhere there is a wall at the MAC Center where this letter can be engraved on ... [/size]
01-31-2023 04:45 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
GFlash68 Online
All American
*

Posts: 4,265
Joined: May 2002
Reputation: 15
I Root For: Kent State
Location: Ohio

Crappies
Post: #8
RE: Big John Whorton Passes
(01-31-2023 02:47 PM)fordflash25 Wrote:  Well-written rememberance by Trevor Huffman. https://trevor-huffman.medium.com/the-st...a6535f968f

One of the best tributes I have ever, ever read. Trevor is talented in more ways than basketball. I am proud to have experienced this team.
01-31-2023 04:47 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Polish Hammer Offline
King of all Dukes
*

Posts: 14,718
Joined: Sep 2004
Reputation: 156
I Root For: Kent State/James Madison
Location:
Post: #9
RE: Big John Whorton Passes
(01-31-2023 02:47 PM)fordflash25 Wrote:  Well-written rememberance by Trevor Huffman. https://trevor-huffman.medium.com/the-st...a6535f968f
Great read, thanks for sharing.
01-31-2023 05:45 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Korb Hall Offline
Water Engineer
*

Posts: 11
Joined: Nov 2021
Reputation: 0
I Root For: Golden Flashes
Location:
Post: #10
RE: Big John Whorton Passes
RIP big man. My recollection is he was part of the first teams to usher in the "modern" version of Kent men's basketball. Previously, we were the clean-cut kids from the suburbs but he and Kyrem (first Kent player I ever remember dunking with authority in a game) and Norvell were bad dudes.

My fondest memory of Big John (please forgive me some of the details have faded over the decades) is watching the team play an early season game in Columbus (I don't even remember the arena, must have been St. Johns?) and there's literally 8 Kent fans there and just a few more for the other team.

There was me and my three Kent friends and 4 Kent fans in front of us (cool dudes) and after the pre-game introduction of Big John, I say out loud "welcome home John" as he's from Columbus. I didn't think say that loud enough but given there's no one in the arena it carried down to the court and Big John gave me a nice little wave of acknowledgement.

My condolences to this family. He's a Kent legend.
02-01-2023 09:26 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
fallsdog Offline
All American
*

Posts: 3,882
Joined: May 2009
Reputation: 24
I Root For: Kent State
Location:
Post: #11
RE: Big John Whorton Passes
May we all make an impact on others like John Whorton. Good stuff from Trevor Huffman.

GO FLASHES!
02-01-2023 09:44 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Advertisement


Muskrat Offline
1st String
*

Posts: 2,290
Joined: Oct 2008
Reputation: 8
I Root For: Kent State
Location:
Post: #12
RE: Big John Whorton Passes
(02-01-2023 09:26 AM)Korb Hall Wrote:  RIP big man. My recollection is he was part of the first teams to usher in the "modern" version of Kent men's basketball. Previously, we were the clean-cut kids from the suburbs but he and Kyrem (first Kent player I ever remember dunking with authority in a game) and Norvell were bad dudes.

My fondest memory of Big John (please forgive me some of the details have faded over the decades) is watching the team play an early season game in Columbus (I don't even remember the arena, must have been St. Johns?) and there's literally 8 Kent fans there and just a few more for the other team.

There was me and my three Kent friends and 4 Kent fans in front of us (cool dudes) and after the pre-game introduction of Big John, I say out loud "welcome home John" as he's from Columbus. I didn't think say that loud enough but given there's no one in the arena it carried down to the court and Big John gave me a nice little wave of acknowledgement.

My condolences to this family. He's a Kent legend.

I understand what you are saying, Korb Hall, but it is a bit of an oversimplification. Jim McDonald, who had several good seasons, tended to recruit "solid citizen and good student" types, but he inherited Larry Robbins who was a bad dude. And he recruited Eric Glenn, and A student but who was strong as a bull and not one to mess with. And Dave Grube recruited several "bad dudes" including Ed Norvell, but most of them didn't work out. It is true, though, that Laign Kennedy did his research and found out that the other coaches in the MAC felt that the Kent State teams were "soft" and he wanted to hire a coach who would make them tougher.
02-01-2023 11:56 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Korb Hall Offline
Water Engineer
*

Posts: 11
Joined: Nov 2021
Reputation: 0
I Root For: Golden Flashes
Location:
Post: #13
RE: Big John Whorton Passes
I hear you, Muskrat. I was around a couple of Grube's guys in 91-94 and still text and see one of the ring leaders every few years - went to spring break, bachelor party, many homecomings and his wedding....so I know where the bodies are buried. Those guys remain loyal to Grube and get a little defensive about him, but everyone acknowledges there was a noticeable difference in the players via the team photos of Grube's and GW's teams(: And that's okay.

But back to Big John. I had a chance to read Huffman's article this morning. Very moving. Should be required reading for every Kent freshman, basketball and non-basketball players.
(This post was last modified: 02-01-2023 12:48 PM by Korb Hall.)
02-01-2023 12:46 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Muskrat Offline
1st String
*

Posts: 2,290
Joined: Oct 2008
Reputation: 8
I Root For: Kent State
Location:
Post: #14
RE: Big John Whorton Passes
(02-01-2023 12:46 PM)Korb Hall Wrote:  I hear you, Muskrat. I was around a couple of Grube's guys in 91-94 and still text and see one of the ring leaders every few years - went to spring break, bachelor party, many homecomings and his wedding....so I know where the bodies are buried. Those guys remain loyal to Grube and get a little defensive about him, but everyone acknowledges there was a noticeable difference in the players via the team photos of Grube's and GW's teams(: And that's okay.

But back to Big John. I had a chance to read Huffman's article this morning. Very moving. Should be required reading for every Kent freshman, basketball and non-basketball players.

Yes, it should be required reading.
02-01-2023 02:02 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
cleveland Offline
1st String
*

Posts: 1,978
Joined: Jan 2016
Reputation: 19
I Root For: basketball
Location:
Post: #15
RE: Big John Whorton Passes
(02-01-2023 11:56 AM)Muskrat Wrote:  
(02-01-2023 09:26 AM)Korb Hall Wrote:  RIP big man. My recollection is he was part of the first teams to usher in the "modern" version of Kent men's basketball. Previously, we were the clean-cut kids from the suburbs but he and Kyrem (first Kent player I ever remember dunking with authority in a game) and Norvell were bad dudes.

My fondest memory of Big John (please forgive me some of the details have faded over the decades) is watching the team play an early season game in Columbus (I don't even remember the arena, must have been St. Johns?) and there's literally 8 Kent fans there and just a few more for the other team.

There was me and my three Kent friends and 4 Kent fans in front of us (cool dudes) and after the pre-game introduction of Big John, I say out loud "welcome home John" as he's from Columbus. I didn't think say that loud enough but given there's no one in the arena it carried down to the court and Big John gave me a nice little wave of acknowledgement.

My condolences to this family. He's a Kent legend.

I understand what you are saying, Korb Hall, but it is a bit of an oversimplification. Jim McDonald, who had several good seasons, tended to recruit "solid citizen and good student" types, but he inherited Larry Robbins who was a bad dude. And he recruited Eric Glenn, and A student but who was strong as a bull and not one to mess with. And Dave Grube recruited several "bad dudes" including Ed Norvell, but most of them didn't work out. It is true, though, that Laign Kennedy did his research and found out that the other coaches in the MAC felt that the Kent State teams were "soft" and he wanted to hire a coach who would make them tougher.

I'm confused. The inference seems to be 'bad dudes' implies a bunch of street toughs recruited to play basketball at Kent State. Frankly that's kind of demeaning.

Yes, there have been players over the years that arrived with 'baggage' but 9 out of 10 were better off and better men for playing at KSU.

As for McDonald's recruits, he had his fair share of 'dudes' too, in an era when a lot of stuff done on campus was more easily swept aside. Not a lot, to be sure, but he took his chances on players as well.

Just saying be careful with these labels. Goodness knows the others around the league think this and worse about KSU.
02-01-2023 02:47 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
OLNWFLSH Offline
Special Teams
*

Posts: 509
Joined: Nov 2010
Reputation: 2
I Root For: KSU
Location:
Post: #16
RE: Big John Whorton Passes
(02-01-2023 02:02 PM)Muskrat Wrote:  
(02-01-2023 12:46 PM)Korb Hall Wrote:  I hear you, Muskrat. I was around a couple of Grube's guys in 91-94 and still text and see one of the ring leaders every few years - went to spring break, bachelor party, many homecomings and his wedding....so I know where the bodies are buried. Those guys remain loyal to Grube and get a little defensive about him, but everyone acknowledges there was a noticeable difference in the players via the team photos of Grube's and GW's teams(: And that's okay.

But back to Big John. I had a chance to read Huffman's article this morning. Very moving. Should be required reading for every Kent freshman, basketball and non-basketball players.

Yes, it should be required reading.
A wonderful, heartfelt tribute to the big man
02-01-2023 04:40 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Advertisement


Old Man Flash Offline
Bench Warmer
*

Posts: 228
Joined: Dec 2022
Reputation: 0
I Root For: Kent State
Location:
Post: #17
RE: Big John Whorton Passes
Before the game last night, Sendy read to the crowd aknowledging the loss of Big John and what an important contributor he was to establishing the winning tradition we enjoy today.

Was hoping to see some sort of video highlighting John’s career but that didn’t happen.
02-01-2023 04:48 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Albert Flasher Offline
2nd String
*

Posts: 394
Joined: Jan 2017
Reputation: 8
I Root For: Kent State
Location: Southeast PA
Post: #18
RE: Big John Whorton Passes
(02-01-2023 02:47 PM)cleveland Wrote:  
(02-01-2023 11:56 AM)Muskrat Wrote:  
(02-01-2023 09:26 AM)Korb Hall Wrote:  RIP big man. My recollection is he was part of the first teams to usher in the "modern" version of Kent men's basketball. Previously, we were the clean-cut kids from the suburbs but he and Kyrem (first Kent player I ever remember dunking with authority in a game) and Norvell were bad dudes.

My fondest memory of Big John (please forgive me some of the details have faded over the decades) is watching the team play an early season game in Columbus (I don't even remember the arena, must have been St. Johns?) and there's literally 8 Kent fans there and just a few more for the other team.

There was me and my three Kent friends and 4 Kent fans in front of us (cool dudes) and after the pre-game introduction of Big John, I say out loud "welcome home John" as he's from Columbus. I didn't think say that loud enough but given there's no one in the arena it carried down to the court and Big John gave me a nice little wave of acknowledgement.

My condolences to this family. He's a Kent legend.

I understand what you are saying, Korb Hall, but it is a bit of an oversimplification. Jim McDonald, who had several good seasons, tended to recruit "solid citizen and good student" types, but he inherited Larry Robbins who was a bad dude. And he recruited Eric Glenn, and A student but who was strong as a bull and not one to mess with. And Dave Grube recruited several "bad dudes" including Ed Norvell, but most of them didn't work out. It is true, though, that Laign Kennedy did his research and found out that the other coaches in the MAC felt that the Kent State teams were "soft" and he wanted to hire a coach who would make them tougher.

I'm confused. The inference seems to be 'bad dudes' implies a bunch of street toughs recruited to play basketball at Kent State. Frankly that's kind of demeaning.

Yes, there have been players over the years that arrived with 'baggage' but 9 out of 10 were better off and better men for playing at KSU.

As for McDonald's recruits, he had his fair share of 'dudes' too, in an era when a lot of stuff done on campus was more easily swept aside. Not a lot, to be sure, but he took his chances on players as well.

Just saying be careful with these labels. Goodness knows the others around the league think this and worse about KSU.

Rex Hughes had some bad dudes.
02-01-2023 06:17 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Muskrat Offline
1st String
*

Posts: 2,290
Joined: Oct 2008
Reputation: 8
I Root For: Kent State
Location:
Post: #19
RE: Big John Whorton Passes
And some bad basketball players, Albert Flasher.
02-01-2023 06:19 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Albert Flasher Offline
2nd String
*

Posts: 394
Joined: Jan 2017
Reputation: 8
I Root For: Kent State
Location: Southeast PA
Post: #20
RE: Big John Whorton Passes
(02-01-2023 06:19 PM)Muskrat Wrote:  And some bad basketball players, Albert Flasher.

A double entendre for sure.
02-01-2023 06:32 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Post Reply 




User(s) browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)


Copyright © 2002-2024 Collegiate Sports Nation Bulletin Board System (CSNbbs), All Rights Reserved.
CSNbbs is an independent fan site and is in no way affiliated to the NCAA or any of the schools and conferences it represents.
This site monetizes links. FTC Disclosure.
We allow third-party companies to serve ads and/or collect certain anonymous information when you visit our web site. These companies may use non-personally identifiable information (e.g., click stream information, browser type, time and date, subject of advertisements clicked or scrolled over) during your visits to this and other Web sites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services likely to be of greater interest to you. These companies typically use a cookie or third party web beacon to collect this information. To learn more about this behavioral advertising practice or to opt-out of this type of advertising, you can visit http://www.networkadvertising.org.
Powered By MyBB, © 2002-2024 MyBB Group.