He was the nicest man in the world with the biggest heart and an even bigger smile. I thank him for befriending me and showing me there is more to life than just basketball." -- Former Pacers star Reggie Miller, who played with Tisdale in the NBA.
___
"He was truly an inspiration to me, paving the way for an athlete like myself to pursue a passion for writing and performing music. I had the honor and privilege of having Wayman perform on the title track of my new album, and was looking forward to collaborating with him again in the future." -- Musician and former Yankees outfielder Bernie Williams.
___
"He was an All-American player and an All-American person. He lit up the day for us, I remember, at so many practices. We practiced so long and hard and Wayman's smile and whole demeanor made those so much easier." -- C.M. Newton, the manager of the 1984 Olympic team.
___
"Even in the most challenging of times, he had a smile for people, and he had the rare ability to make everyone around him smile. He was one of the most inspirational people I have ever known." -- Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry, who attended college with Tisdale.
___
"On the court, he was an offensive machine that could score with the best of them. Off the court, he was grounded in faith and family. He affected lives through the vehicles of sports and music that few others ever will. It's a huge loss." -- Mavericks President Donnie Nelson, who helped coach Tisdale with the Suns.
___
"He had an incredible gift of making the people who came in contact with him feel incredibly special. His basketball talent and accomplishments pale in comparison to the impact he had on the lives that he influenced by the way he lived his life, and the tremendous character he displayed in his fight with cancer. Throughout it all, he always had that infectious smile." -- Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel.
...........more
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2009-05-15-2279245061_x.htmTisdale could light up any room
By John Shinn
Anyone that knew, met or simply watched Wayman Tisdale, has a lasting memory. There was his incredible basketball career. There was his critically acclaimed career as jazz musician.
Most of all, though, there was a personality that brightened any venue he entered.
"I don't know of any athlete at Oklahoma or any place else who was more loved by the fans who knew him than Wayman Tisdale," former OU coach Billy Tubbs said Friday about his former player. "He was obviously, a great, great player, but Wayman as a person overshadowed that. He just lit up a room and was so positive."
http://www.normantranscript.com/sports/local_story_135160048.htmlWayman Tisdale, 1964-2009
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Wayman-Tisdale-1964-2009?urn=nba,163770ESPN Classic Remembering Wayman
Network to air two of his OU games
May 15, 2009
NORMAN, Okla. - Former Oklahoma great Wayman Tisdale succumbed to cancer earlier today and is being remembered fondly from coast-to-coast. ESPN Classic is honoring his life by replaying two of his memorable OU games tonight at 7 p.m., CDT and 9 p.m., CDT.
http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/051509aaf.html