Former Tennessee basketball coach Bruce Pearl made a good impression on fans during his six seasons here. And even though he’s now Auburn’s coach, he still has a connection with some UT fans.
A few poignant stories reflect this connection.
This week’s literary contributions also include a scathing attack on yours truly by a reader unfamiliar with Adam d’Adams.
Rick writes: After reading your column on Bruce Pearl, I thought you might enjoy a personal story that happened last week.
My mom is 92 and loves UT basketball and especially Bruce Pearl. So for Christmas, my sister bought her tickets for the UT-Auburn game. She was so excited to go.
However, last week she was very ill and had to be hospitalized. She kept saying all week that she needed to get well so she could go to the game.
But my sister and I realized she couldn’t go. So my sister contacted Bruce Pearl’s publicist about his situation, and she asked if it would be possible for him to send her a signed photo to encourage her.
But instead, he sent a home video.
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My answer: Sorry for your mother’s poor health. But I’m sure she appreciated what Pearl said in the video:
“War Eagle and go Vols. I just wanted to contact you. I’m sorry you can’t go to the game. Your family told me how much they love you and how proud they are of you. And they’re not ready to let you go. They want you to get better.
“I know I’m not your basketball coach in Tennessee anymore. But at one point I was, and I appreciate your support. God has you.
Gilbert writes: If I remember correctly, Vandy played tough on you there, didn’t he?
Weren’t you the beat writer at one point for Vandy were you then you turned your coat around and headed east now you’re throwing sarcastic remarks at the team that you once covered and who all of Nashville loved your cover on?
Frankly, I think you’re a little shitty journalist who plays the big boy and sucks wherever you are! Have you ever tied a basketball shoe?
You are kidding!
My answer: I appreciate your eloquent prose, but I think you’re confusing me with Tennessee Beat reporter Adam Sparks, who was repeatedly honored as Tennessee Sportswriter of the Year while covering Vanderbilt.
Although I’ve never been on Vanderbilt’s beat, I’ve always enjoyed commentating on their sporting achievements.
I “tied a basketball shoe” as you questioned. I was the ninth, 10th or 11th man – depending on my level of commitment – on a very bad high school team. My most memorable moment: Entering a game with the crowd’s roaring approval and missing three consecutive free throws.
However, I learned the intricacies of the game sitting next to our coach on the bench. He buried his head in a towel when one of our players took free throws in the final moments of a close game.
Adam was a much more accomplished athlete. In 1996, he started as a quarterback for a 2-8 Riverside High School team.
An intrepid passer, he had enormous confidence in his abilities. Sometimes too much, which explained his high interception rate.
He was also good at imitating his trainers.
Chuck writes: I am a long time fan of your work. Ditto for Tony Basilio. So, needless to say, Thursdays with you on his radio show are always very entertaining.
You told the story of a man you spoke to at a Bruce Pearl basketball practice during his first year here. You said he was very competent but he didn’t think he was a trainer, but he was delighted with the quality of Coach Pearl and the quality of his training.
I believe the man you were talking about is my father.
It was Dr. Charles Thompson, professor of Ed Psych and Guidance at UT. He played small town basketball in high school and coached basketball at Christenberry Junior High while attending UT.
Sadly, he died of a massive stroke on New Year’s Eve in 2005. At his funeral, the queue circled Mann’s morgue twice. We had no idea how many people he touched during his 40 years teaching at UT. I have tears in my eyes writing this today on what would have been his 85th birthday.
My answer: Sorry for your loss.
I enjoyed the conversation I had with your father during the first season of Pearl. He really knew basketball. I had no idea what a well-known teacher he was.
John Adams is senior columnist. He can be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.