The legend, Dan "SPIDER" Hesford

[Palatine]

Great read.

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/w...asketball-great-dan-hesford-1.539068?page=all

 

[Mazhude]

Nice write up!

 

[The X Man]

I'm to young to remember his playing days but I'll say he was the best gym teacher ever.

 

[gtcam]

I slightly remember him from the UConn days - remember my father talking about him but I do recall watching him play with the Explorers - those were the days of good semi pro bball - guys like Topsy etc.

 

[UConn77]

That was right about the time I discovered UConn basketball. Hesford, Toby Kimball, PJ Curran, Penders and Wes Bialosuknia among others. I was nine years old and got hooked. Of course, the great announcing of George Ehrlich helped.

 

[UConnLen]

That was right about the time I discovered UConn basketball. Hesford, Toby Kimball, PJ Curran, Penders and Wes Bialosuknia among others. I was nine years old and got hooked. Of course, the great announcing of George Ehrlich helped.

Saw those guys play my Fr year at UConn 64-65. Great team that went to the final 8 and fun team to watch.

 

[UConnLen]

BTW-don't forget Bill Hollowaty!

 

[mauconnfan]

BTW-don't forget Bill Hollowaty!

Yeah and he and Hesford played together for the Explorers years after too. My brother played for a Meriden team and I saw them play, Wild Bill was a competitive that's for sure, with a dirtiness only a fellow teammate could love.

 

[The X Man]

The Spider

 

[ucp990411]

That was right about the time I discovered UConn basketball. Hesford, Toby Kimball, PJ Curran, Penders and Wes Bialosuknia among others. I was nine years old and got hooked. Of course, the great announcing of George Ehrlich helped.

UConn77, we must be the same age. That is when I got hooked as well. The great Fred Shabel as coach. The Spider was my favorite player, what a tough son of a gun! #14 I believe. Al and Ron Ritter, Ed Slomcinski. George Ehrlich really was a good announcer. Who was it that teamed up with him? I remember I was so mad when Bill Corley scored 51 points to break Wes Bialosuknia's single game scoring record! I can remember all their numbers. Kimball-42, Curran-21, Penders-15,Wes- 44, Corley-22, Ritter-33. Just unbelievable that we are where we are today.

 

[ucp990411]

That was right about the time I discovered UConn basketball. Hesford, Toby Kimball, PJ Curran, Penders and Wes Bialosuknia among others. I was nine years old and got hooked. Of course, the great announcing of George Ehrlich helped.

UConn77, we must be the same age. That is when I got hooked as well. The great Fred Shabel as coach. The Spider was my favorite player, what a tough son of a gun! #14 I believe. Al and Ron Ritter, Ed Slomcinski. George Ehrlich really was a good announcer. Who was it that teamed up with him? I remember I was so mad when Bill Corley scored 51 points to break Wes Bialosuknia's single game scoring record! I can remember all their numbers. Kimball-42, Curran-21, Penders-15,Wes- 44, Corley-22, Ritter-33. Just unbelievable that we are where we are today.

 

[LIUCHusky]

UConn77, we must be the same age. That is when I got hooked as well. The great Fred Shabel as coach. The Spider was my favorite player, what a tough son of a gun! #14 I believe. Al and Ron Ritter, Ed Slomcinski. George Ehrlich really was a good announcer. Who was it that teamed up with him? I remember I was so mad when Bill Corley scored 51 points to break Wes Bialosuknia's single game scoring record! I can remember all their numbers. Kimball-42, Curran-21, Penders-15,Wes- 44, Corley-22, Ritter-33. Just unbelievable that we are where we are today.

Floyd (Hap) Richards teamed with Ehrlich.

 

[Drame]

I'm to young to remember his playing days but I'll say he was the best gym teacher ever.

Mr Hesford...Had no idea he was a Uconn legend...Damn. Is that picture of Mr Wojcik?

 

[The X Man]

Mr Hesford...Had no idea he was a Uconn legend...Damn. Is that picture of Mr Wojcik?

In the picture with him is Mr Andujar another longtime gym teacher at Glenwood/Joel.

 

[Mattala]

Great read.

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/w...asketball-great-dan-hesford-1.539068?page=all

Thanks. Great post.

 

[Drame]

In the picture with him is Mr Andujar another longtime gym teacher at Glenwood/Joel.

Ah..thats who I meant... The best Gym teachers.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

For you guys who don't rememember him , he wasn't that tall but had long arms that enabled him to play taller.( hence the name spider).
He had no regard for his body going after loose balls or rebounds.
I think he believed every loose ball belonged to him.
He was the consummate glue guy every successful team needs.
Think Giffey in 2014 without the touch.