By T. Scott Boatright
Forty years ago, the Louisiana Tech Dunkin’ Dogs ventured to a place the basketball program had never gone — the brink of an Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA national championship tourney.
Led by head coach Andy Russo, the names on that team ring like a Who’s Who of Bulldog basketball: Karl Malone, Wayne Smith, Robert Godbolt, Willie Simmons, Alan Davis, Willie Bland and so many more.
This past Saturday, a big part of that team returned to the Thomas Assembly Center where they were honored with a reunion ceremony at halftime of the current Bulldogs’ overtime win over Sam Houston.
Darryl Emerson was a freshman guard on that 1984-85 Dunkin’ squad and he said the reunion meant much to him.
“We did the same thing for the 25th reunion, and it’s great because it just brings back a lot of memories,” Emerson said. “Guys like Robert Godbolt and I stay in touch as much as we can. But a lot of us really don’t.
“The thing is, even after 40 years, you see a teammate and it’s like you were never apart. It’s a brotherhood that I’m proud to be part of. So, getting to see most of the team come back to a thing like this is wonderful, and I’m grateful to be here.”
Louisiana Tech went 29-3 during that special season, losing only to then No. 17 Oklahoma in December of 1984, on the road at Lamar the following month, and again to Oklahoma in the Sweet 16 of the Midwest Regional semifinal in Dallas.
Derrick Kearney was a freshman that season and said that although he was redshirted and didn’t play in any games, he still has fond memories of that season and his old teammates.
Kearney was one of three Bulldogs on that 1984-85 squad hailing from Detroit along with Godbolt and Hiram Harris.
“Naturally I see those guys (Godbolt and Harris) more because we all live in the same area,” Kearney said. “It’s being able to catch up with all teammates you don’t see all that often is special. I know it means a lot to me just to be here and being back together with all of them.
“This is the first trip back for me and Harris in 15 years, since the last reunion was held. I think we should do it every year. Let’s honor the best season Louisiana Tech’s men’s basketball team ever had every year.”
Godbolt said he particularly enjoys seeing and talking with his old teammates and recalling memories of that special 1984-85 season.
“This has been a really nice weekend,” Godbolt said. “Getting to come down and relax, see a lot of people that you haven’t seen for a long time and tell old war stories — it’s been great.”
There are many memories for the 1984-85 Dunkin’ Dogs, including a victory over No. 6 ranked Louisville at the Wendy’s Classic in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in December as well as NCAA tournament victories over Pittsburgh and Ohio State in Tulsa.
However, one of the most memorable were the heartbreaking final seconds of overtime in a NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Oklahoma at Reunion Arena in Dallas. Oklahoma All-American Wayman Tisdale’s short baseline jumper hitting the back of the rim before bouncing on it like it was clinging for life.
“It just hit the rim and went boomp ,boomp, boomp, boomp, boomp and fell in,” Godbolt said. “I thought it was going to bounce out. I thought I was going to have a chance at the rebound.
“But it fell the other way and dropped through.”
Dropped through with two seconds remaining to give the Sooners an 86-84 lead.
The Bulldogs had a chance to score on an inbounds pass from halfcourt with one second remaining as Tech lobbed the ball toward the basket as Karl Malone raced in attempting to pull off an alley-oop bucket at the buzzer.
But the Bulldogs didn’t connect on the pass as the clock struck midnight for that season’s NCAA Cinderella team.
“That one was tough,” Godbolt said about the loss. “To be so close and just have it bounce the wrong way and fall through the basket. It was heartbreaking. I guess it just wasn’t meant to be. But that doesn’t take away from a great season we had.
“It was one for ages. That season is something that I’ll never forget. Just to be able to say you were part of that team is like a medal you wear for life. I know it’s something I’m proud of and always will be.”
It’s been four decades but those Bulldog players and coaches and Tech fans will never forget that magical run.
