Billy Tubbs coached KU rival Oklahoma in the 1988 Men’s NCAA National Championship game, which KU won, 83-79.

Billy Tubbs was a rival figure to Kansas University basketball teams for 14 years when his Oklahoma Sooners came to Allen Fieldhouse.

And he was part of one of the most stunning moments in KU basketball history when “Danny (Manning) and the Miracles” coached by Larry Brown defeated the heavily favored Sooners 83-79 for the 1988 NCAA National Championship at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Mo.

Tubbs

Now Tubbs will return Jan. 29 to Lawrence, this time to speak at the 2010 Lawrence Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting. Chamber members will get to hear an outsider’s perspective on KU’s basketball tradition.

“It’s more the opportunity to recognize both coach Tubbs and the wonderful work he did in his coaching career and also connect it to the basketball history of KU and its relationship with Lawrence,” said Tom Kern, the chamber’s CEO and president.

Tubbs, the current athletic director at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, remembers his trips to Allen Fieldhouse.

“I always thought of it as an exciting place to play, and I always felt good about coming in there because we had some really good games there,” Tubbs said. “We probably lost more than we won, but I really liked the crowd there because they were always excited to play.”

Rivalries were fierce on the court, but he said fans who live in the old Big 8 Conference country tend to have a mutual respect for opposing teams. KU presented Missouri coach Norm Stewart with a rocking chair in 2003 after he retired.

“I don’t think we realized we were having as much fun as we were having,” Tubbs said.

He said he still enjoys following KU and coach Bill Self, a fellow Oklahoman.

The Chamber of Commerce meeting begins with a social hour at 6 p.m. followed by dinner, the annual awards and a presentation by Tubbs at 7 p.m. at the Lawrence Holidome, 200 McDonald Drive.

To make reservations, call 865-4411 or send an e-mail to ahandshy@lawrencechamber.com. For information about sponsorship opportunities, call Cathy Lewis at 865-4406 or send an e-mail to clewis@lawrencechamber.com.