As I recall Walt was quoted, when he was recruited, as saying something along the lines of wanting to be a big fish in a small pond. Perhaps FG would know more about that.
I remember Walt was quoted as saying that, CatsUp, and alot of other things--like most of us when we're 17--that we probably really don't mean in the big picture. I grilled Walt about this very thing for more than 30 years. I always contended that he would have gone to Chapel Hill to play for Dean Smith at North Carolina if he hadn't tore up his knee in high school. Most of the big schools wanted him to red-shirt as a freshman; he wanted to play. It worked in Ohio's favor that was the first year freshman could play on the varsity. Prior to that, freshman had to play on the freshman team, so that decision would have completely been off the table.
Walt resided in the projects in Bridgeport, CT, a rough, tough environment, with a Hell's Angels biker bar literally across the street. He always did and continues to contend that he fell in love with the campus in Athens, as well as the people, just like I did coming from suburban New Jersey. For decades we would reminisce about our days on campus. He never had anything bad to say about the experience.
So I've gotta believe him, CatsUP, that the "big fish" aspect wasn't the primary motivational factor for him coming to Athens. A big factor in our favor was that our coach, the late Jim Snyder, was quite a gentleman who Walt had great respect for.
And one more thing: to the best of my knowledge, Ohio DID NOT buy him. Over the years I became close to the entire Luckett family--from mother Joan, the late father Da (Walt Sr.) and Walt's three younger brothers. I saw first-hand how they lived back then--never was there even a sign of newfound prosperity-- through recently. Walt always said he wasn't bought and I do believe him. He came to Athens because that's where he really wanted to be. And he has no regrets. Trust me when I say this...
Last Edited: 4/22/2023 4:18:32 PM by FlashGary