Many tributes to Dan Roundfield
August 7, 2012 in Cover Story, Professional
Earlier, I linked to the tragic news that former Detroit and Central Michigan basketball great Dan Roundfield drowned while vacationing with his wife in Aruba. In the hours since that was reported, a number of touching tributes to Roundfield have popped up online and I wanted to give a sampling.
From Central Michigan University:
“This is a tragic loss for the Central Michigan family,” Central Michigan Director of Athletics Dave Heeke said. “Dan was not only one of our all-time great basketball players but one of our all-time greatest athletes. Our sympathies go out to Dan’s family, all his close friends and those that grew to love him throughout our basketball program.”
He was elected into the Central Michigan Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985, and was set to be one of 24 inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday, Aug. 16. His jersey number 32 is retired at Central Michigan.
The 6 foot, 8 inch Roundfield was a premier player at Central Michigan and went on to a 12-year NBA career with three All-Star selections.
Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press:
Sad to hear about the passing of Dan Roundfield. For the young bucks, David West reminds me of Roundfield.
— Vincent Ellis (@Vincent_Ellis56) August 7, 2012
Jason Walker of PeachTree hoops:
I remember him for his unique look on the court, his #32, his tenacity and excellent defense. His was one of the first NBA teams I ever saw on a nightly basis, being in Florida and thanks to Mr. Ted Turner broadcasting Hawks games all over on Channel 17.
I got to meet Dan Roundfield when he, among many other Atlanta greats, gathered for the All-Star festivities in Atlanta in 2003. I promptly perturbed him by mis-speaking and asking about his trade from the Hawks to the Bullets, when he was obviously part of the important 1984 deal with the Pistons that brought Antoine Carr and Cliff Levingston to Atlanta, key parts of the Air Force teams under Mike Fratello. Despite my faux-pas, Roundfield graciously answered many questions about his time as a Hawk, his current role with a private company back in Atlanta and Hubie Brown.
Hugh Bernreuter of the Saginaw News:
Roundfield, who played his high school basketball at Detroit Chadsey, was 59. According to media reports, Roundfield went into the water to help his wife while swimming at Baby Beach. His wife reached land safely.
Roundfield, a 6-foot-8 forward, is a member of the CMU Athletics Hall of Fame, inducted in 1985. He is scheduled to be inducted Thursday, Aug. 16, into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. His No. 32 has been retired at CMU.
East Lansing basketball coach Steve Finamore:
I first recall seeing Roundfield play for the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden in 1978. The Hawks had an interesting and fun team. Coached by Hubie Brown and Mike Fratello they had guys like Doc Rivers, Tree Rollins and Dominique Wilkins. Roundfield was a tough inside player with some hops. He had a couple of dunks around the basket the game I watched live. Roundfield could post you up, run the floor and shoot the mid-range. Roundfield could defend very well and he was one of the better rebounders in the league. To me Roundfield was very underrated during his time with the Hawks. Roundfield brought his hardhat and lunch pail every night; a typical blue-collar guy from the city of Detroit.
Roundfield was the backbone of the Atlanta Hawks.
Great basketball player, selfless human being. Most of us have the chance to be the latter, at least.
‘It’s a real tragedy,’ said John Larmonie, a spokesman for Aruba police. ‘He drowned saving his wife.’
Julia Roundfield, a sister-in-law of the athlete, who lives in Detroit, said the family was still trying to get to the bottom of what happened.
‘He was a real sweet guy,’ she said. ‘He really was a sweetheart.’
The player’s wife, Bernie, was treated for shock after scrambling out of the water.
The Roundfield’s have two sons, Corey and Christopher, and a number of grandchildren.
Former NBA All-Star Kenny Andersen:
R.I.P. Dan Roundfield was true professional God bless you!
— Kenny Anderson (@chibbs_1) August 7, 2012
Feel free to add your memories of Roundfield in the comments.
During my college days at Central Michigan University (72-75) I was fortunate to be a part of a tremendously successful basketball program as a student manager. During those years I came to know and love Danny Roundfield, an awesome player and an even more awesome person and friend. The sad news came today that Danny died in Aruba while swimming, after saving his wife Bernie from the currents. Connie and I are mourning the loss today of a great friend and wonderful man. You can read about Dan anywhere on the internet today, as he became an NBA all star after those CMU years. Rest in peace Danny…you will be in our hearts always.
[...] Many great stories have emerged since Central Michigan great Dan Roundfield‘s tragic death last week. This one from Peter May of the New York Times is very interesting though. Basically, Roundfield’s Indiana Pacers were in a position to draft Larry Bird in 1978. Bird was draft eligible despite his intention to play his final year of college basketball, so a team could draft him, but if they weren’t able to sign him prior to the 1979 draft, Bird could simply re-enter the draft that year and the team that picked him in 1978 would have wasted a pick. [...]