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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

(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.'

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.

Very sad news. I know he had a very severe case of COVID-19 a few years ago.

Well-written rememberance by Trevor Huffman. https://trevor-huffman.medium.com/the-st...a6535f968f

(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.

(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 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 02:47 PM)fordflash25 Wrote:  Well-written rememberance by Trevor Huffman. https://trevor-huffman.medium.com/the-st...a6535f968f

Great read, thanks for sharing.

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.

May we all make an impact on others like John Whorton. Good stuff from Trevor Huffman.

GO FLASHES!

(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 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.

(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 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 02:02 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

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 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.

And some bad basketball players, Albert Flasher.

(02-01-2023 06:19 PM)Muskrat Wrote:  And some bad basketball players, Albert Flasher.

A double entendre for sure.