Stallworth honored

Bud Stallworth proudly stood at center court of Allen Fieldhouse at halftime of Monday’s Kansas University-Missouri men’s basketball game.

His jersey No. 15 hung high in the south end zone after an emotional ceremony.

Former Kansas standout Bud Stallworth, right, hugs former coach Ted Owens during a halftime ceremony during which Stallworth's jersey was retired.

Stallworth, the 6-foot-5 Hartsell, Ala., native and 16th-leading scorer in KU history, appeared touched as KU’s basketball pep band serenaded him with the song KU fans sang during Stallworth’s KU days (1970-72).

That’s the Budweiser jingle: “When you say Bud; you’ve said it all.”

“This is emotional, really a proud day for me,” Stallworth said. “What I say today comes from the heart. I’m honored to have been part of this program and university close to 30 years. It’s made me one of the luckiest people in the world.”

Stallworth felt proud to have his mother and other family members on hand, plus coach Ted Owens and some of his former teammates, including Dave Robisch.

“My parents allowed me to grow and chase a dream,” said Stallworth, who has lived in Lawrence since 1987 and works as assistant director of budget and support services for KU design and construction management.

“My mother here and my father, up there (in heaven), made this all possible.”

The fans applauded the loudest when reminded Stallworth scored 50 points versus Mizzou in 1972. It’s the most points scored by a KU player in a league game, second overall behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 52.

“It was my last game here, and my mother got to see me play for the first time,” Stallworth said. “I always liked to play against Missouri. Once the shots start falling … they say when you are in a zone, you are in a zone. That’s what happened.”