The first in a series of unknown duration, where former Cardinals reminisce about their days in Crawford Gym, on the tenth anniversary of its demolition. 

The former Cardinal guard, whom I hadn’t seen for awhile at the JCC where we both work out, was limping toward his favorite elliptical.

Roger Burkman. Member of the 1980 national championship squad.

“Dude, bad wheel?”

“Yeah. Foot surgery. Metatarsal. Plates, screws, no ligament damage. ”

Call it an after effect decades later of a baller who toiled for that initial title.

Hours and hours in the crucible of champions.

Shirts and skins in the cauldron of summer. Where the obsessed among us shvitzed through our shirts, watching Cardinal warriors in pickup games.

Where Denny Crum arrived and thrived, teaching how to use the backboard on angled jumpers, a U of L signature technique.

“Been hoping to run into you. It’s the tenth anniversary of the demolition of Crawford Gym.

“I trust you have some memories.” Continue reading Crawford Chronicles: Burkman Edition →