Zanesville native Fred Taylor recalled by past players
ZANESVILLE – Jerry Lucas summed it up shortly: “This night isn’t about us. It’s about Fred (Taylor).”
Several of Taylor’s former Ohio State players visited the Y-City to remember their coach and Zanesville native as part of the the All-Stars Salute Coach Taylor on Thursday at Ohio University-Zanesville.
The Muskingum Recreation Center memorialized the longtime Buckeyes coach by renaming the gymnasium in Littick Hall as Fred Taylor Memorial Gymnasium.
Bill Hosket, a player on Taylor’s 1968 Final Four team, emceed the evening.
Lucas, John Havlicek, Mel Nowell and Joe Roberts — players on the 1960 National Championship team — discussed the influence of Taylor, who died in 2002.
“(Fred) was very proud and low key. He would wonder why this was happening,” Havlicek said. “He never wanted to accept too much credit or accolades.”
His genuine concern for his players is why Havlicek credited Taylor with a successful NBA career. Havlick, a Bridgeport native, won eight titles with the Boston Celtics and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984.
“I wouldn’t have had the NBA career I did without him,” he said. “I didn’t need to learn anything. Fred taught me everything I needed to know at Ohio State.”
Professional basketball was never on Lucas’ mind during his time at Ohio State, although he won a NBA title with the New York Knicks in 1973 and became a Hall of Famer.
However, Taylor had an influence on Lucas’ life by being able to relate to everyone.
“He helped so many players in so many situations,” Lucas said. “He knew he couldn’t handle every player the same way. Fred was a big reason I went to Ohio State. I liked his attitude, him as a person and agreed with what he said. What was important to him was important to me.”
Understanding what Taylor expected made him easy to play for, Havlicek said. It was a key reason to Ohio State’s success during Taylor’s tenure.
“He told us we were (at Ohio State) for three things: education, basketball and social life,” Havlicek said. “He taught us the fundamentals, had the right temperament and had the ability to translate information. He also always had the final stamp of approval.”
Being a father figure endured Taylor to his players. Havlicek recalled hitting a shot against Louisville in the regional tournament. After that shot, Taylor came over and hugged him, then Havlicek sat on Taylor’s lap as they drank Cokes.
Those moments are why Lucas and others said they will never forget Taylor.
“We all loved Fred deeply and dearly. He set an example in many, many ways,” Lucas said. “There are so many fond memories, and it’s why we’re here to honor a great coach and person.”
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