Wonders of Wilt: Quotes from those who knew him, his generosity

The impact of Wilt Chamberlain has been felt by many who had lifelong friendships with the former KU basketball player, as well as by those who have been affected by his generosity.

"Wilt Chamberlain's gift for KU will be known by generations of students. We are especially pleased that his gift will establish the Wilt Chamberlain Opportunity Scholarship, which will help students who face many obstacles in their pursuit of a college education. Opportunity scholarships are a high priority for the university, because as tuition costs rise we want to make sure that we do not close the door on a college education for students with the greatest need."
-- KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway

"Wilt Chamberlain was the greatest player to ever play at the University of Kansas, and there have been some great ones. Arguably, Wilt was one of the greatest athletes of all time in any sport. Personally, I wish I would have had the opportunity to meet and get to know Wilt, but I never did. However, on behalf of our basketball program, we'd like to thank Wilt, his family and the estate for making such a generous donation for the university and the KU Men's Basketball program. As much of a legend as Wilt was, it's great to know that he still thought to give something back to the University of Kansas."
-- Bill Self, KU men's basketball coach

"It was my pleasure to have known Wilt and to have been able to spend time with both him and members of his family. Not only was he a tremendous student-athlete, but a long-time supporter of women's basketball and all of women's athletics. The KU Women's Basketball program is extremely grateful to him and his family for supporting our program through such a generous gift."
-- Marian Washington, KU women's basketball coach

"Everyone associated with the University of Kansas volleyball team is thrilled that the Chamberlain family would make such a generous gift for our program. This gift represents a man who displayed tremendous courage as a Jayhawk student-athlete, and will allow future student-athletes to experience what is great about this university and its athletics program."
-- Ray Bechard, KU head volleyball coach

Don't Touch That Dial. Chamberlain had his own thirty-minute weekly radio show on KANU and other area radio stations. "Flippin' with the Dipper" featured current hit records and Chamberlain's banter, as well as occasional guest appearances by his fellow Jayhawks.

"With a long history between the KU department of athletics and Special Olympics-Kansas, we are honored and excited to benefit from a gift from the Chamberlain estate to ensure the long-term continuation of our programs to improve the lives of countless individuals with mental retardation."
-- Chris Hahn, president of Special Olympics-Kansas

"We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Wilt's sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Elzie Lewis; Wilt's attorney, Seymour Goldberg; and their friend Warren Johnson, M.D., for their thoughtfulness, generosity and wise counsel in making possible these wonderful memorials to Wilt. Each area that will benefit from this generous gift will help perpetuate the name of one of the greatest student athletes to ever grace our campus. I am so proud to say I knew Wilt personally and will always cherish that friendship and all of the memories. I only wish that our teammate Bob Billings could have lived to see these memorials established because it was his very close friendship with Wilt over the years that helped make all of this possible."
-- Monte Johnson, b'59, g'67, former KU teammate of Wilt Chamberlain and former KU director of athletics.

"My husband felt blessed to call Wilt Chamberlain his friend. That tie was extremely important to Bob, not because of Wilt's celebrity status, but because he truly cherished the relationship. One of Bob's longtime goals was to get a Wilt Chamberlain scholarship established. A scholarship to honor Wilt was a project so near and dear to his heart, and I know Bob would have been so happy to see this come to fruition."
-- Beverly Smith Billings, wife of the late Bob Billings, c'59, Chamberlain's longtime friend and former KU teammate.