Despite somewhat of a reputation for poor student turnout, Auburn was getting some big name folk to come to campus in the early 70s. For example, in May 1973, the UPC Horizon’s III crew could only drum up enough “free admission” interest in hearing Muhammad Ali dish on Howard Cosell (“I’ve made him too popular in this country… they even had a Howard Cosell doll which you don’t even have to wind up and it still won’t quit talking”), White America (“She is so intoxicated with power, pretty college campuses, supermarkets, subdivisions, stocks…”), and winning back his crown (“just as soon as I can get my hands on George Foreman…”) to fill maybe a third of Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum. (It was an even bigger deal for Ali to come — Ken Norton broke had recently broken his jaw.)
But he sure seemed a big hit on the Haley Center concourse.
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Got to meet him during all of that-I think my right ear and sideburn may even be in the first picture. Most vivid memory was how huge his hand was when he shook. Would have hated to get hit with it. The wavy haired guy at he podium is Furman Bisher sports ed of the AJC. I recall he peppered Ali pretty good with draft questions. Funny thing Ali was kind of shy surrounded by all the equally shy white college kids. Thom Gossom and few of the black football players showed up. (there were probably less than 5 blacks on the team at the time) and one of the yelled “Hey Champ” to him and he started in to the “act.”. Even did the “Ali Shuffle” and pretended to box a friend of mine raining fake punches all around his chin. Almost peed in his pant.
Cool day.
Little known but also cool, Rod Serling of Twight Zone fame came for a private seminar for us communications major. Very interesting.
Jb
Having Muhammad Ali at Auburn in 1974 was a real coup. This preceded his best days as a Boxer but was one of his first appearances after taking a forced sabbatical for his stance as a Concientious Objector to the Vietnam War. He was an inspired choice by the leader of the Horizons Program, the late Jimmy Tisdale, who had the equally inspired idea of having the best known Sports Writer in the South, Firman Bisher, introduce Ali. Most of us Sports fans anticipated stories of Boxing or of Politics, but instead, Ali delivered a Sermon entitled “The Intoxication of Life”, perhaps a message to us students and perhaps a result of his conversion to the Muslim religion. After about 45 minutes of that message, he turned to Boxing, to the delight of the audience. Furman Bisher, whom I’ve come to know well, still considers the Ali Speech one of the most bizarre he has ever heard.
Tisdale hosted Ali at a Lunch held at the Lambda Chi Fraternity House (Ali had fish, others had chicken!) and Ali truly entertained the troops at that stop and many others. He was quick, witty, and funny. The audience at the Coliseum was close to 4500 attendees, the largest of the typical Horizon events which were intended to be small intimate settings and free to students. It was a special day and Auburn was able to see Ali at the early part of a legendary career.
The Champ WAS here?! The Champ IS here!