 Anderson Arena, show here during Saturday's Bowling Green-Buffalo game, remains a source of many fond memories for former Falcon and NBA great Nate Thurmond. Photo courtesy of Bowling Green Athletics. In between, Thurmond was a standout player for the Falcons, one of the top 50 players of all-time in the National Basketball Association, a successful businessman, and a strong member of the community who currently lives in San Francisco.
During his career at Bowling Green, Thurmond scored 1,356 points and he still holds the school’s career rebounding record with 1,295, while playing only three years on the varsity.
Thurmond was back in Bowling Green to be recognized as a member of the 13-player All-Anderson team, present remarks in a ceremony after BG’s game with Buffalo and take part in a Saturday evening event to celebrate the memories of Anderson Arena.
HOLDING BACK THE TEARS
“I’m kind of an emotional guy, and I was trying to hold back the tears,” Thurmond said Saturday afternoon. “I didn’t even try to look at my notes. I’m glad I could remember what I wanted to say.
“There’s no question that some of my best years, like I said, the blossoming years (were) here. I came here at 18 and I left at 22, just so many great memories, so many friends,” Thurmond continued. “The arena smells the same as it did when I was here ... It just brings back a lot of emotions.”
Thurmond played for legendary coach Harold Anderson, for whom the arena is named. Thurmond had visited Ohio State and Kent State when he was looking to make his college choice.
ANDERSON WAS A FATHERLY IMAGE
“When I came here and met Harold Anderson and Mrs. Anderson, it was like a very fatherly image,” Thurmond said. “He had a twitch in his eye. Behind his back we called him “Blinky’.
“It was a nice transition to see an older gentleman who cared more about the person than he did about the basketball, in my opinion.”
Thurmond and Anderson were both inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985.
“The recognition for him was long overdue,” Thurmond said. “Certainly for me, being selected to the Hall of Fame, was a major plus in my career because, unfortunately, I went to the finals twice and didn’t win it in the NBA.
“Being inducted with Harold, a guy who made me into the player that I became or had a lot to do with that, it was very special,” Thurmond added.
ON TO THE FUTURE
While Thurmond has many fond memories of Anderson Arena, he knows that a new facility can be a positive thing.
“I look at it as progress. The new arena will have its flavor, it will have its nights that it will roar,” he said. “There will be some more outstanding players. I am really proud of the fact that there are maybe 10 players, or more, who left this school and went on to the NBA.
“Hopefully I’ll be back to see the new Stroh Center,” Thurmond added.
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