R.I.P. Jud Heathcote.
This edition of "Current Sports with Al Martin" is dedicated to Jud Heathcote, the former Michigan State basketball coach who passed away Monday at the age of 90.
Heathcote led the Spartans to the 1979 national championship and trained Tom Izzo, the current coach of the team.
Throughout today's show, Al shares his remembrance of Heathcote and brings guests with a direct connection to the all-time great coach.
First, Carlton Valentine, a player on MSU for Heathcote and father to NBA player Denzel Valentine, shares the emotional tie that he maintained with Heathcote. Valentine states what Heathcote gave him on the court, but expounds to a greater level what he did off it. For Valentine, Heathcote was a father-figure, and the two kept in touch even as Heathcote moved back to Washington.
Then, Mark Wilson, former host of the Jud Heathcote Show, gives his memories. Wilson's connection goes from when he was a student with Magic Johnson to when he nurtured a deeper relationship with Heathcote as host of the Jud Heathcote Show. Head football coach Mark Dantonio shares his empathy for the Heathcote family and the victims of Hurricane Harvey. Show engineer Isaac Constans describes how people can help prevent another Hurricane Katrina.
Episode 1011