I never met him, but reading these stories makes me wish I did even more... I came to ISU as not an Iowan or lifelong ISU fan. I remember one of my first games, people were talking about him and I swear he was even there. I had no idea who he even was but remember the admiration everyone had for him. The guy was quite special..
Your Best Johnny Orr Stories here.
- Thread starter Knownothing
- Start date
Not really a story- but one thing that I remember about Johnny is how he always drew out his plays during time outs with chalk on the floor. Something that I have never seen by any other coach ever. That had to drive the people that took care of the floor nuts.
Here is my most memorable Johnny story.
I had the oppurtunity to golf with Johnny on multiple occasions due to my dads involvement with ISU and the friendship between one of Johnny's daughters and my aunt. But my first time golfing with him was one of the best lines I've ever heard him say.
I was about 13 and we were in our carts at the first hole waiting to tee off. Johnny got out of his cart and walked over to me and put his hand on my shoulder. He looked at me and said "I'm telling you right now I'm going to say some things that your mom's not going to like" Everyone was just rolling laughing.
I had the oppurtunity to golf with Johnny on multiple occasions due to my dads involvement with ISU and the friendship between one of Johnny's daughters and my aunt. But my first time golfing with him was one of the best lines I've ever heard him say.
I was about 13 and we were in our carts at the first hole waiting to tee off. Johnny got out of his cart and walked over to me and put his hand on my shoulder. He looked at me and said "I'm telling you right now I'm going to say some things that your mom's not going to like" Everyone was just rolling laughing.
I remember this well...almost drove into the ditch when I heard it.
Actually he said "he has the longest arms for a white boy that I have ever seen". Only Johnny could get away with that comment.
Last edited:
Johnny was in amongst the crowd of VEISHEA "rioters" at the intersection of Lincoln Way & Welch in spring of 1992, urging us to go home before the cops broke out the tear gas. I think he might have promised to beat Iowa if we dispersed.
Also, playing the fight song with the Pep Band for him & Romie at their house during "Trick or Beer" one Halloween was particularly memorable.
"Hoo-wee, coach - that was a hum-dinger!"
Also, playing the fight song with the Pep Band for him & Romie at their house during "Trick or Beer" one Halloween was particularly memorable.
"Hoo-wee, coach - that was a hum-dinger!"
Last edited:
I remember reading about how great a high school athlete that Johnny was. His basketball team at Taylorville, Il was undefeated state champs, his football team was undefeated (no playoffs back then) and his baseball team was close to being state champs.
He skipped a grade in school somewhere and went to Illinois a year early. I believe he still holds the record for the youngest player to letter in both basketball and football at a Big 10 school. Left Illinois for the military after one year and then finished at Beloit College.
He skipped a grade in school somewhere and went to Illinois a year early. I believe he still holds the record for the youngest player to letter in both basketball and football at a Big 10 school. Left Illinois for the military after one year and then finished at Beloit College.
When you think about Johnny and the type of guy he was there is really not a more fitting tribute then what is going on right here. A bunch of people sharing stories and memories they have of Coach. This is exactly the kind of tribute he would want.
Cyclonepride
Thought Police
I used to look forward to Johnny's post game almost as much as the games themselves. My dad ran into Johnny at a restaurant in Atlantic several years ago and had a conversation with him. Dad said Johnny was just as nice in person as you would expect from his persona.
Not sure if this is where to post this or not, but I had to write something today-to share with fellow Cyclones. I lost my dad a little over a year ago, after several years of fighting different health issues-strokes, diabetes, amputations, cancer, etc. When he passed, I didn't shed a tear, probably because I knew Dad was finally at peace. For some reason today, with news of Johnny's passing, I can't stop the tears. In my eyes my father was a great man who wore his body out in a factory for 34 years to provide for his family, and I always respected him for that. But Johnny was who inspired me to become a Cyclone, not just an ISU student. And even in my professional life, people identify me as a Cyclone, a badge I wear proudly and unabashedly in eastern Iowa.
I graduated from ISU in 87 (the same weekend as the infamous Lafester game), so I was there during the rise of ISU basketball. I camped out for 2 days for tickets to our sweet sixteen game against NC State and attended many Big 8 tournament games along with having season tickets. Football sucked in the 80's, so ISU hoops turned me into the die hard Cyclone that I am to this day. And that is entirely because of Johnny. To see him work the crowd into a frenzy as he fist pumped his way to mid court was truly magical. The battles between Johnny, Norm Stewart, Eddie Sutton, Billy Tubbs-all great characters-were epic. One of the things I hated most about moving away from the Ames area was giving up my season bball tickets. (But I've had fb season tickets for 16 years and have only missed 3 home games.)
I had the opportunity to see Johnny on a couple of occasions after he retired in intimate settings and was enthralled with his story telling and approachability.
We lost a treasure today. And yes, the tears are still rolling.
I graduated from ISU in 87 (the same weekend as the infamous Lafester game), so I was there during the rise of ISU basketball. I camped out for 2 days for tickets to our sweet sixteen game against NC State and attended many Big 8 tournament games along with having season tickets. Football sucked in the 80's, so ISU hoops turned me into the die hard Cyclone that I am to this day. And that is entirely because of Johnny. To see him work the crowd into a frenzy as he fist pumped his way to mid court was truly magical. The battles between Johnny, Norm Stewart, Eddie Sutton, Billy Tubbs-all great characters-were epic. One of the things I hated most about moving away from the Ames area was giving up my season bball tickets. (But I've had fb season tickets for 16 years and have only missed 3 home games.)
I had the opportunity to see Johnny on a couple of occasions after he retired in intimate settings and was enthralled with his story telling and approachability.
We lost a treasure today. And yes, the tears are still rolling.
Maybe one way to keep the thread going, everyone who was ever called "Coach" by Johnny can chime in. I was!
I completely agree. I wasn't an Iowa State fan until I attended college (2002) and have no stories to tell, but I love reading about everyone's experiences and stories. Keep them coming, even if it's not a personal experience, it's nice to read all the antics from games/press conferences.
I forgot about that.
University Official 1: "The students are rioting ... what are we going to do?"
University Official 2: "Call Johnny. He'll know what to do."
Not a joke ... this is sort of what happened. My recollection is that they really didn't know how to get the 'crowd/mob' to disperse so they called Orr (and Walden ... I think) and asked them to go and see if they could help. In hindsight, they should left Walden out of the mix.
Last edited:
I remember having the time of my life at his basketball camp as a kid and how he always stopped to talk to each camper (and parent).
My best memory of him was as a young and dumb 6th grade kid when I wanted to do a report at school on the Cyclones Basketball team. I thought that of course Johnny Orr would want to have some quotes included, so I looked up his home phone number and gave him a call. He was gone and his wife took my name and number. He called me back the next day and talked for a good 10-15 minutes with me, patiently answering every question I had for him. At the time I didn't realize how amazing that was, but have since treasured that memory.
My best memory of him was as a young and dumb 6th grade kid when I wanted to do a report at school on the Cyclones Basketball team. I thought that of course Johnny Orr would want to have some quotes included, so I looked up his home phone number and gave him a call. He was gone and his wife took my name and number. He called me back the next day and talked for a good 10-15 minutes with me, patiently answering every question I had for him. At the time I didn't realize how amazing that was, but have since treasured that memory.
A link to a 2009 story on Johnny and Romie...
http://www.orrcenter.org/Portals/2/112009_Register_Story.pdf
http://www.orrcenter.org/Portals/2/112009_Register_Story.pdf
Coach's salty language is what I remember most about him. He would show up to some of the ribbon cuttings and grand openings around Ames from time to time. I most remember him at one when I was in Junior High and my folks and I approached him as he says to my dad in his grainy voice, loud enough for people to hear across the parking lot, "Hey Coach! Can you believe this ****ing place!?!"
In fact, I think a more fitting tribute to Johnny would be to open up the language filter for one hour today rather than an hour of silence! Johnny was never silent, nor did he have a language filter!
In fact, I think a more fitting tribute to Johnny would be to open up the language filter for one hour today rather than an hour of silence! Johnny was never silent, nor did he have a language filter!
