Remembering Wayne Estes

[NavyBlue]

I saw this article in the Logan, Utah newspaper website. I thought it might be of interest here because Wayne Estes was from Anaconda, MT. USU just opened the Wayne Estes Center, which is a basketball practice facility and the venue where the vollyball team will play.

http://news.hjnews.com/allaccess/thinking-back-on-estes/article_50a2b548-dcc0-11e3-bd2e-001a4bcf887a.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/ust/genrel/auto_pdf/2012-13/misc_non_event/gr060713.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Proud Griz Man]

Several great athletes from Anaconda over the years. Didn't get to see Wayne play, but many contend he was the best.

“I really enjoyed playing with him,” Goldsberry said.
Hale, who roomed with Estes on road trips, had similar thoughts.
“What a great basketball player he was,” Hale said. “And what a character. He loved to joke around and tell stories about Montana, fishing and grizzly bears.”
Estes came to USU from Anaconda, Mont. Aggie head basketball coach Ladell Andersen and Norvel “Nog” Hansen made a stop to visit Estes because of his ability to throw the discus and shot put, and offered him a track scholarship. In those days, coaches helped other sports, and Estes was well known for track and football. Hansen had convinced Andersen to stop on their way between Missoula and Butte.

 

[NavyBlue]

Some people think Wayne Estes was the best basketball player to come out of any Utah college.
I too, wish I could have seen him play. Students at USU learn early on, about Wayne Estes and Merlin Olsen and thier accomplishments, and I am really glad they named this building after him it is well deserved. I was always proud of the fact that the best USU basketball player ever was a Montana native.

 

[PlayerRep]

Thanks for posting. Very nice of that big donor to suggest naming the facility after Estes. I saw him play with USU against the Bobcats. Amazing scorer, and unbelievable hook shot, including from long range in the corner. I recall seeing the younger brother, the one who spoke at the recent ceremony, at the game in Bozeman. Anaconda produced some very fine athletes during that time and before.

Just saw this Googling: "But one of MSU coach Craft’s favorite memories is the battles Kermit Young had with another Montanan. “Wayne Estes, the great player out of Anaconda, was only held below double figures scoring once, and that was by Young in his sophomore year down in Logan.”

 

[putter]

I remember hearing someone say that, if Wayne had lived, his hook shot would have changed the NBA at that time......

 

[Silvertip]

Wayne's death was particularly sad considering that he was trying to be of assistance after power lines were downed in the street by a storm after a USU game and he was fatally electrocuted...

 

[grizzlyjournal]

When I was a Missoula grade-schooler (50s & 60s) you could get out of school if you purchased a two-day ticket for the Montana All-Class track meet... held every spring at the Montana State U. track complex, then located where the University Center and the UM Library now stand... in Missoula, of course.

My greatest thrill... ever, was watching Doug Brown from Red Lodge lap nearly the whole field when he set the Montana state record in the mile... staggering across the line to the applause of the entire field of fans and athletes who stood in recognition. But a few years later, it was at that same all-class state track meet that I first became aware of Wayne Estes, who dominated the field in the discus. The only other weight man I remember so vividly was a kid from Butte named Bob Hawk (I think). I remember hoping Estes would come to MSU in Missoula, as Brown had done.

A few years later -- I think a year before he was electrocuted -- I watched as Estes and his USU team demolished the Grizzlies 99-70 -- in what I believe was the final season of Skyline Conference play (the Utes destroyed the Grizzlies in Logan, 103-81). Estes had a majestic hook that he released a foot or two in from the free throw line, on the right edge of the key. I believe he scored 34 points against the Grizzlies in that game (I can't find the full box score). I remember thinking then that Estes was the greatest player I had ever seen, though I also admired Mike Lewis of Missoula Co. H. S., who would soon move on to play for Duke.

 

[OlPonyQB]

Young and Estes match-up was classic...and....the night Cat's Weeks and Brickhouse scored 38 each against ISU's Willie Humes' 51! The place almost burned down it was soooo hot! People listening on the radio started showing up in droves.

 

[BelierPeaux]

When I was a Missoula grade-schooler (50s & 60s) you could get out of school if you purchased a two-day ticket for the Montana All-Class track meet... held every spring at the Montana State U. track complex, then located where the University Center and the UM Library now stand... in Missoula, of course.

My greatest thrill... ever, was watching Doug Brown from Red Lodge lap nearly the whole field when he set the Montana state record in the mile... staggering across the line to the applause of the entire field of fans and athletes who stood in recognition. But a few years later, it was at that same all-class state track meet that I first became aware of Wayne Estes, who dominated the field in the discus. The only other weight man I remember so vividly was a kid from Butte named Bob Hawk (I think). I remember hoping Estes would come to MSU in Missoula, as Brown had done.

A few years later -- I think a year before he was electrocuted -- I watched as Estes and his USU team demolished the Grizzlies 99-70 -- in what I believe was the final season of Skyline Conference play (the Utes destroyed the Grizzlies in Logan, 103-81). Estes had a majestic hook that he released a foot or two in from the free throw line, on the right edge of the key. I believe he scored 34 points against the Grizzlies in that game (I can't find the full box score). I remember thinking then that Estes was the greatest player I had ever seen, though I also admired Mike Lewis of Missoula Co. H. S., who would soon move on to play for Duke.

I didn't expect to read a Doug Brown reference in here! He was well before me but I know his records still stand in RL. It was daunting being a distance runner with those records on the wall. They still have Doug Brown field there but don't believe it's used for much of anything anymore.