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Strange: Lofton has right stuff for No. 5's retirement
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Chris Lofton's legacy hardly needed embellishment. Four years of jaw-dropping baskets were enough. Four years of hustle, class and character were sufficient.
But now that we know the rest of the story, wow.
I'm tempted to say that I don't know which is more impressive: that Lofton successfully beat testicular cancer and played his senior year; or, that he managed to keep the whole thing secret for an entire year.
If it was, say, a torn ACL, I might vote for the secret part. But an ACL isn't life-threatening. Cancer, of course, is.
And so, Tennessee fans will forever look at Lofton, already one of the most popular players in the history of the program, in a different light. Now that they know what he overcame to contribute to the greatest season in UT men's basketball history. Now that they can wonder at what it was like carrying the secret burden he carried.
The question on everyone's mind now is how to honor Lofton. Callers to The Sports Page, our News Sentinel radio show, had plenty of worthy suggestions Friday.
Name the practice court at Pratt Pavilion after Lofton. No one worked harder on his own than Lofton.
Name the 3-point arc at Thompson-Boling Arena Lofton's Line. It was his turf. He made 431 treys, more than anyone in SEC history.
Name a street after him. (Are there any streets left?)
Create a Chris Lofton Scholarship to be awarded to an oncology student.
There also is the traditional honor.
Coach Bruce Pearl has been saying Number 5 was going up in the rafters alongside Bernard King and Ernie Grunfeld. He said that even before we knew the secret.
Happily, this is more than wishful thinking. Lofton meets the standard to have his number retired, a UT official said Friday.
Two years ago, UT determined four criteria to consider for number retirement. Candidates must meet two of the four to qualify.
Lofton was Associated Press SEC player of the year in 2007. That's one.
He was a John Wooden Award All-American in 2008. That's two. Because the Wooden Award lists all 10 recipients on the team equally, UT considers that first-team All-America, the official said.
The other two criteria are making an Olympic team or an NBA All-Star team.
Be patient. UT stipulates a five-year waiting period between the end of a career and retirement of a number.
For what it's worth, four other players meet the criteria. Dale Ellis (SEC player of the year, first-team All-America, NBA All-Star) and Allan Houston (Olympian, NBA All-Star) are likely next in line.
There is also Ron Widby, who was a Helms Foundation first-team All-American and SEC player of the year in 1967. Finally, Paul Walther was a first-team All-American in 1945 and played in the 1952 NBA All-Star game.
Lofton's story brings to mind that of another UT athlete.
Randy Jenkins came to the UT track team in 1990 as a high-jumper. Much like Lofton, Jenkins was an unheralded recruit. He was, in fact, a walk-on.
Some walk-on. In 1991, he finished second at the NCAA meet in Eugene, Ore., to help UT clinch the outdoor national championship.
Two months later, he was diagnosed with the cancer known as Hodgkins lymphoma. Jenkins took the 1992 season off as a medical hardship. He underwent radiation and chemotherapy.
Then he returned triumphantly, winning the NCAA high jump in 1993 and again in 1994.
As we know too well, not all cancer stories have a happy endings.
All the more reason to give thanks and embrace the ones that do.
Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276 or strange2@knoxnews.com.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by pearlific on May 3, 2008 at 8:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hamilton can change the criteria if he wants to. Heck I was always told I wouldn't have to donate money for my season tickets too, but I have to now. I say if he wants to retire it now-just do it! Go Vols!
Posted by AllLadyVol on May 3, 2008 at 8:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WE DON'T CARE about the rules. Retire number 5 NEXT SEASON, while it's fresh on everyone's mind!!
Come on. The other guys in line deserve it too, but for crying it loud.
Lofton's life was on the line and he beat the odds.....that carries a little more weight than the NBA All-Star team.
Posted by FWBVol on May 3, 2008 at 10:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't think waiting five years to retire his number will do anything to deminish Lofton's status, if anything it will enhance it.
With a single announcement, Chris Lofton went from fan favorite to all-time legend. I believe the legend will only continue to grow in the next five years.
The only reason I would agree with changing the five-year waiting period, and hopefully it will never happen, is if an athlete meets the criteria and then has a terminal illness. That way we could honor him or her while they were still able to feel the love.
Posted by newtonrail on May 3, 2008 at 11:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
All are deserving but Widby should be first while he's alive, and I believe his Mother is still living in Knoxville. Walther is deceased.
Posted by drakosben1 on May 4, 2008 at 2:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
These stories counterbalance the drug use stories in our society don't they. True life stories of those who chose not to drop out of society, but to succeed in spite of it. People like Clarence Thomas, Congi Rice, and Colon Powell, who faced the odds and overcame them. To the victor goes the spoils, not to the quitters, complainers, and the Woe is us crowd!
Posted by CrankE on May 4, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
5 years for 5. Lofton wouldn't accept retiring his jersey any sooner. It's just not his character. It'll be worth the wait. What a fine young man he is.
Posted by threehundredbowler on May 4, 2008 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Retire the number 5 as soon as possible.
Posted by rwagner42 on May 4, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I like the idea of naming the area from the top of one 3 pt. line to the top of the other 3 pt line the "Lofton Zone". I was watching a highlight reel of some of his more famous 3pt shots over his career... absolutely unbelievable.
Posted by richvol on May 4, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
When you look at what this young man was able to accomplish his senior year it's even more remarkable. After radiation treatments and strength,stamina and weight loss Chris led Tennessee in scoring for the season. He broke the all-time record for three pointers in the SEC and led this team to it's first solo championship in over 40 years. This was,by the way,at the highest level of competition in college ball. This is a real all-american. Tennessee is honored to have had this young man in school representing them for the last four years.
Posted by DSaVol on May 4, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Had prior coaches and AD's not neglected to recognize the great ones that have played here - King, Grunfeld, Ellis, Houston, etc. - there would be no waiting list now to have the jerseys hung and numbers retired. As it is, there are a couple of guys in front of CLo at this time which will help to fill in the five years under the "rules." I like the 5 yr wait period as it allows for a players achievements to settle more into a historical perspective. The great ones are never forgotten and Chris' story and legend will only grow over time. What has been overlooked though is that he would have probably broken the NCAA record for 3's had he been at full strength the first half of the season. While never concerned with such things, that is something this kid truly deserved.
Posted by bigfan502 on May 4, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
THE BIG "C" RESPECTS NONE OF US DO IT NOW, AND LET US VOL FANS KNOW HOW TRULY ARE OUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL YOUNG MAN. THANKS A LOT CHRIS FOR SOME THE MOST THRILLING PLAY IN VOL HISTORY.
Posted by UTfan4life on May 5, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Should be retired NOW. Playing with cancer, and being the best in the SEC (i dont care about the Gators players or Foster). You are a great player who will get drafted by the Spurs.
Posted by MillisaAnn on May 7, 2008 at 9:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes they need to retire #5 this next season to honor Lofton for all he has done at TN. and also #3 (Candace Parker)on the Women's Basketball team needs to be retired next season too for all she has done at TN.
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