Tulsan Wayman Tisdale dies

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Tulsan Wayman Tisdale dies

BY Staff Reports
Friday, May 15, 2009
5/15/09 at 9:10 PM

Two Tisdale-era OU basketball games on ESPN Classic tonight

See a photo gallery of Tisdale's basketball career.

See a photo gallery of Tisdale's music career.

Share your thoughts and memories in the guest book.

Sports Editor Mike Strain’s blog: Wayman Tisdale: A good example for us all.

John Hoover’s blog: Meeting Wayman Tisdale was the best.

Wayman Tisdale, a Tulsa legend who rose to basketball stardom and a renowned music career, died Friday morning. He was 44.

Tisdale was a Booker T. Washington High School graduate with a trademark smile that he flashed repeatedly during his momentous life -- as a Sooner basketball superstar, an Olympic champion, a professional basketball player and a jazz musician.

"It's a devastating loss for the Booker T. Washington family, the Tulsa community and anyone who came in contact with Wayman Tisdale. He touched many lives," Booker T. Washington Principal Micheal Johnson said.

"It's a very sad day for the Booker T. Washington family. Condolences to the Tisdale family, and we'll be rallying behind them."

Tisdale is survived by his wife, Regina, and four children.

Tisdale was a three-time All-American at Oklahoma and remains the Sooners' career leader in scoring and rebounds.

"He had an incredible gift of making the people who came in contact with him feel incredibly special," OU men's basketball coach Jeff Capel said. "His basketball talent and accomplishments pale in comparison to the impact he had on the lives that he influenced by the way he lived his life, and the tremendous character he displayed in his fight with cancer."

He was a member of the 1984 gold-medal winning U.S. Olympic basketball team and went on to play 12 seasons in the NBA.

Johnson said Tisdale will be honored during BTW's commencement ceremony, set for Monday at the University of Tulsa's Reynolds Center.

Tisdale died after a two-year fight with cancer.

During that battle, he had his right leg amputated below the knee, but his spirit was unbowed.

A month ago, Tisdale was honored in a ceremony at the Greenwood Cultural Center and was presented the Legacy Award.

"We just feel that Wayman was an awesome person to know," said Frances Jordan, executive director of Greenwood Cultural center. "He gave back to the community but not only in sports but with his music. He was such an inspiration to young people."

When he was presented with the Legacy Award in April, Tisdale smiled with friends and spoke to the crowd. He talked about his battle with cancer and showed his unwavering attitude: “In my mind, I’ve beaten it,” Tisdale said.

"He was one of the most inspirational people I have ever known," Gov. Brad Henry said.

A commercially and critically successful jazz musician, Tisdale launched a national tour last month – only days after a chemotherapy treatment.

Primarily a bass player, he recorded eight albums, with the 2001 release "Face to Face" climbing to No. 1 on Billboard's contemporary jazz chart. His most recent release, "Rebound," was written and released after he had been diagnosed with cancer.

Leon Rollerson, longtime Tulsa jazz performer and producer, said of his fellow bass player: "In his performances, he'd always take time for the kids. When one of them would come up to him, he'd take them by the hand and say, 'You can do this.'"

Tisdale launched his career with "Power Forward," in 1995 on the Motown Label. He topped the Billboard charts on numerous occasions.

"Some people find the niche that works," Rollerson said of Tisdale's music. "He found it. He touched all of the areas of jazz, avante garde and the rest. Everybody dug Wayman."

Even Jamie Foxx, who told Rolling Stone magazine in a 2005 interview that his all-time backup band would include "Sheila E on the drums, Herbie Hancock on the keys, Earth, Wind and Fire singing backup vocals, Prince and Slash on guitar, Randy Jackson on percussion, Wayman Tisdale on bass, Kenny G on the sax with Branford Marsalis, and Wynton Marsalis on trumpet."

Tisdale recorded "Rebound" in 2008, a year after his diagnosis. On his Web site, Tisdale wrote: "A Japanese voice before the second verse of ‘Rebound’ (the lead track) says, ‘I’ve rebounded and you can rebound also.’ That’s what the message is. If I can do it, you can do it.”

As a Booker T. Washington junior, the 6-foot-9 Tisdale led the Hornets to a 1981 state championship. At OU, he became the first freshman to be named a first-team Associated Press All-American. He was a three-time Big Eight player of the year and led the Sooners to conference titles in 1984 and 1985.

As a sophomore during the 1983-84 season, against Texas-San Antonio, he scored a school-record 61 points.

In 1997, after his retirement from the NBA, Tisdale became the first OU athlete in any sport to have his jersey retired.

In Los Angeles on Feb. 8, 2007, Tisdale sustained a broken leg while going down a flight of stairs. As he was being treated, doctors discovered a malignant mass immediately below the right knee.

WAYMAN TISDALE
• Born June 9, 1964 in Fort Worth, Texas.
• An All-State performer at Booker T. Washington. Averaged 18.8 points and 12 rebounds as a junior and led the Hornets to a state title. As a senior, averaged 23.7 points and 11.8 rebounds.
• At Oklahoma, was a three-time first-team All-American. He is the Sooners' all-time leader in scoring and rebounds.
• Was a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic basketball team in 1984.
• Played 12 NBA seasons with Indiana (1985-89), Sacramento (1989-94) and Phoenix (1994-97).
• As a musician, had four albums on the Top 10 of Billboard Magazine's contemporary jazz chart. His 2001 release, "Face to Face," climbed to No. 1.

Associated Images:

In this 1997 file photo, former OU star Wayman Tisdale addresses the crowd at the halftime of the OU/OSU game as his jersey is retired. Looking on is then-athletic director and Heisman Trophy winner Steve Owens. Tulsa World File

Former Booker T. Washington High School, University of Oklahoma and NBA basketball star Wayman Tisdale talks to former teammates from the University of Oklahoma basketball team after receiving the Greenwood Cultural Center Legacy Award in April. CORY YOUNG/Tulsa World File

Former Booker T. Washington High School, University of Oklahoma and NBA basketball star Wayman Tisdale, now a jazz recording artist, receives the Legacy Award at the Greenwood Cultural Centerback in April. A report Friday morning said Tisdale died. CORY YOUNG/Tulsa World File

Former Booker T. Washington High School, University of Oklahoma and NBA basketball star Wayman Tisdale. A report Friday morning said Tisdale died. CORY YOUNG/Tulsa World File

Former Booker T. Washington High School, University of Oklahoma and NBA basketball star Wayman Tisdale, who played for the Phoenix Suns during part of his professional career. A report Friday morning said Tisdale died. CORY YOUNG/Tulsa World File

Wayman Tisdale, the Indiana Pacers' number one draft choice, holds up his Pacer jersey after he signed his contract with the team in Indianapolis, Oct. 10, 1985. The Oklahoma University all-American signed a four-year contract with the Pacers after weeks of negotiations. MICHAEL CONROY/AP File Photo

A Tulsa World archive photo of Wayman Tisdale as a 15-year-old sophomore at Booker T. Washington taken Aug. 31, 1979. From Tulsa World negative files

Wayman Tisdale (23) University of Oklahoma in a game against Illinois State at NCAA Midwest Regional at Oral Roberts University Mabee Center March 16, 1985. Tisdale scored 29 points and had 8 rebounds. File photo by Jim Wolfe, Tulsa World negative files

In this 2008 file photo, Wayman Tisdale, former NBA basketball player, musician and amputee plays guitar and sings on stage at All Souls Unitarian church during a night of music and inspiration. Tisdale played two songs about his faith, then had to leave, again amidst a standing ovation, to celebrate his wife's birthday. ADAM WISNESKI / Tulsa World File

In this 2008 file photo, Wayman Tisdale poses for the camera as he waits for Toby Keith during a photo shoot before he was presented the Will Rogers Spirit Award from the Will Rogers Rotary Club at the Southern Hill Marriott. Tisdale lost his leg from cancer, Keith was at his bedside when he was recovering. TOM GILBERT/Tulsa World File