NEWS

Author: Donna Campbell

Back in 1964-65, when my sister Linda and I were young teens, we and a nerdy bunch of our friends were dedicated fans of the championship basketball team at Davidson College. This was the age of Lefty Driesell. The team was talented, smart, and clean cut. I was in love with the good-looking center, Fred Hetzel, #44. He was 6’8, averaged 27 points per game, 14 rebounds, made All American and later played pro.

For my upcoming 75th birthday, Linda wanted to surprise me. She found Fred Hetzel in Florida and wrote to him, telling him all about our days as Wildcat fans, reminding him about the cookies we made for him, even telling him I named my cat after him—his middle name Bancroft.

Fred is 83 now, but he sent an email back, wishing me a Happy Birthday and included some great photos. Linda couldn’t wait until July, so she sent it to me today. And it was a wonderful surprise.

Go Wildcats!

Faded, but treasured autographs hang on my wall:

To Donna,

Fred Hetzel

also

Paul Briggs

And that heartthrob, Barry Teague.