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By VAN ROSE vrose@leader.net
Sunday, February 06, 2000 Page: 1B
Basketball was the late Wilt Chamberlain’s game, but the NBA Hall of Famer
also was an outstanding volleyball player. He proved that during an exhibition
game at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre in May of 1970. Chamberlain and his
troupe of Olympic volleyball stars from the West Coast defeated the Wyoming
Valley All Stars in straight sets, 15-3 and 15-1. An estimated crowd of 800
showed up for the event, which took place a few weeks after Chamberlain’s Los
Angeles Lakers lost to the New York Knicks in the NBA playoffs. Robert Zinn,
of Mountaintop, who played for the Wyoming Valley All Stars, said Chamberlain
was a bigger-than-life figure. “The guy was so big and awesome,” said Zinn,
co-owner of the Econo Lodge in Wilkes-Barre. “Actually, he was just a spiker
all the time. The other fellows set him up, they didn’t have to rotate
around.” Just watching Chamberlain spike a volleyball was an unforgettable
experience, according to Zinn. “I think the ball came down at about 100
miles per hour. I’m 6’2”, but it was impossible to block his shot because he
was 7 foot. All I could do was look up at him.” The volleyball game was
sponsored by Post 50 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. It was organized by post
commander George Karazia. He said Chamberlain’s athletic prowess was matched
by his amiable personality. “Wilt was absolutely terrific,” said Karazia, of
Bear Creek. “He was the one who was instrumental in promoting professional
volleyball. He was very cordial during his visit to Wilkes-Barre.” Karazia
said Chamberlain, who died last October, was more than accommodating when it
came to public relations. “Before the game, he took time to go across the
street to have his picture taken with the owner of a local diner. Then after
the game, he stayed around and signed autographs for an hour and a half.” The
only “hardship” during Chamberlain’s visit occurred at the local motel where
he stayed. “They had to put two beds together for him,” Karazia said.
Karazia was able to arrange the exhibition game because he had been an Army
buddy of Gene Selznick, who played on Chamberlain’s volleyball team. Karazia
said he learned firsthand what a down-to-earth person Chamberlain was when he
visited the NBA star and Selznick in California prior to their appearance in
Wilkes-Barre. “We decided to go to the YMCA in Beverly Hills,” Karazia
said. “On the way, we stopped at a delicatessen. “Wilt got out of the car
by himself. He came back with three pounds of corned beef, a loaf of rye bread
and a six-pack of cream soda. That’s the kind of guy he was.” Chamberlain
and his teammates received only expense money for their trip to Wilkes-Barre.
“Wilt didn’t charge us a penny for his personal appearance,” Karazia said.
“Today, that would be unheard of. Especially when you consider what a big
superstar he was.”
Call Rose at 829-7251.