Dwight Bo Lamar (video)

[CajunVic]

USL basketball back then was the best. As students, we used to go to Blackham at 6:00 for a 7:30 game just to get a seat. The excitement was incredible. USL was nationally ranked back then and was actually on the cover of Sports Illustrated, not to mention several articles about us that they wrote. For those of you younger guys that were not around then, you can't imagine what it was really like. Bo Lamar was the MAN and he put USL on the map. Of course, it wasn't just Lamar as we had a ton of talent at every position and high school all americas on the bench in waiting if we hadn't received the death penalty. No telling where we would be today if that hadn't happened. If we can ever recapture that under Marlin, we will again be a national power.

we had the illegal Bag Man back then (basically equivalent to present day legal NIL) so if we had the money then when it was illegal why don’t we have it now when it is legal

[NewsCopy]

Louisiana Athletics and the entire Ragin' Cajuns community mourn the passing of UL Hall of Fame basketball standout Dwight "Bo" Lamar, who died early Monday in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio. He was 74.

A cornerstone in Louisiana's rise from a small-school NAIA program to a national force at the Division I level, Lamar starred for the Ragin' Cajuns from 1969-73 under legendary coach Beryl Shipley. During his four-year career, Lamar scored 3,493 points and helped elevate the program onto the national stage.

Lamar led the nation's Division I College Division in scoring during the 1970-71 season at 36.0 points per game and surpassed that mark as a junior in 1971-72, averaging 36.3 points per contest to pace the University Division

Lamar led the nation's Division I College Division in scoring during the 1970-71 season at 36.0 points per game and surpassed that mark as a junior in 1971-72, averaging 36.3 points per contest to pace the University Division.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Bo Lamar," Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Bryan Maggard said. "Bo was a true legend of Ragin' Cajuns men's basketball, and his remarkable career brought pride and excitement to our university and to the countless fans who filled Blackham Coliseum to watch him play.

"His legacy continues to inspire generations of Ragin' Cajuns. We extend our heartfelt prayers and deepest condolences to the Lamar family during this difficult time."

Lamar finished his career with a 31.2 points-per-game average and led the Ragin' Cajuns to a 90-23 overall record. Over his final three seasons, the school posted a 74-13 mark, trailing only UCLA nationally during that span.

A native of Columbus, Ohio, Lamar arrived in Lafayette after earning just two scholarship offers out of East High School.

"I used to play basketball from noon to midnight on the playgrounds," Lamar recalled. "You had to be good to play that long. If you lose one on the playgrounds, you don't get back on the court for an hour or so."

As a freshman, Lamar joined an already established backcourt that featured senior Marvin Winkler, who averaged 25.6 points per game and earned Little All-America honors. Lamar averaged 22.8 points and was named Gulf States Conference Freshman of the Year.

USL shared the GSC title that season with Louisiana Tech after three losses to North Louisiana opponents, including a dramatic overtime setback in Ruston in which Winkler scored 40 points and Lamar added 37.

The following season, Lamar took center stage, averaging 36.0 points per game and leading the Ragin' Cajuns to a 25-4 record, a No. 1 national ranking in the college division for much of the year and a third-place finish in the national playoffs.

Known for his deep shooting range, Lamar set a school record with 62 points against Northeast Louisiana, converting 26 of 48 field-goal attempts.

After moving into the University Division in 1971-72, Lamar again averaged better than 36 points per game, becoming the first player to win national scoring titles in both the college and university divisions in consecutive seasons. USL finished ranked in the Top 10 nationally in each of his final two seasons, the program's best showing since the Bob Pettit era at LSU in 1953-54.

As a senior in 1972-73, Lamar guided USL back to the NCAA Tournament and ranked sixth nationally in scoring.

Following his collegiate career, Lamar played professionally in the American Basketball Association and the National Basketball Association with Buffalo, Indiana and Los Angeles. He later returned to the Lafayette area, serving as a radio color analyst for Ragin' Cajuns basketball broadcasts.

Louisiana Athletics
RaginCajuns.com
PRESS RELEASE

[Turbine]

we had the illegal Bag Man back then (basically equivalent to present day legal NIL) so if we had the money then when it was illegal why don’t we have it now when it is legal

Back then 'illegal money' amounted to loaning players your car keys and flying them home to visit family.

To answer your ill timed question. An illegal death penalty dried up the well.

[Turbine]

Don Allen and Dwight Bo Lamar made for great basketball radio.

Don who could come across as condescending 'sometimes' (with other radio partners) just had to respect Dwight's opinion.

[CajunVic]

Back then 'illegal money' amounted to loaning players your car keys and flying them home to visit family.

To answer your ill timed question. An illegal death penalty dried up the well.

Then we ought never refer back to this time as the source of a Louisiana being a basketball school if the well dried up . . .

[Turbine]

Then we ought never refer back to this time as the source of a Louisiana being a basketball school if the well dried up . . .

What part of "death penalty" do you not understand?

The verdict was a farce then, the repercussions are real.

[Cajunsmike]

Nice. Thank you.

Kevin Foote is interviewing some folks who watched Bo play to get their recollections. He will write an article soon in the Acadiana Advocate which will be based on those interviews. I don’t know when it will be published.

[cwl1951]

Thank you so much for these video clips !

I am from Georgia, and a younger cousin (our grandmothers are sisters) to Dwight. I never ever thought I'd see him shoot a basketball !

I spent my summers in Columbus, OH -but was too young to tag along with Dwight to the Columbus playgrounds. I often stayed with him, and the family (mom / 3 brothers) on weekends. I recall so many trophies and awards in the house, and remember one summer a very, very tall visitor they simply called "Tree" -who of course was his USL team mate.

Thanks again for the film, I've watched it 50 times so far.

“Tree” was Wilbert Lofton , post player, who played behind Roy Ebron.

[cwl1951]

My older bother Bobby got to see him unload against UD (Univ of Dayton, Ohio) I think his junior year, he scored something like 42 pts and lived up to all the billing SI was giving him that year...it could have been his senior year...throwing up 30 foot rainbows at will...I did not get to go, I just heard of his remarkable feats...we wanted to watch one of our hometown heros....Steve Green (of Fairborn H.S. fame) who fed the ball to Lamar at USL

I was told Steve Greene remained in close touch with Bo during the past few years as Bo’s health declined. Payton Townsend was calling Bo at the Nursing Home facility 3-4 times a week. Their relationships were special just as was their careers back in Blackham.

[NewsCopy]