This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
As Jerry Chambers and Jerry Pimm relived old tales at a table in the soaring hallway of the Huntsman basketball facility, a fan approached wearing a huge grin.
"I just have to say," the man exclaimed, taking Chambers' hand, "It's about time."
It took 51 years for the 1966 Runnin' Utes team, which finished fourth in the NCAA Tournament with a 23-8 record, to have its moment. In the history books, and in the film Glory Road, they are overlooked, in part because they went to College Park, Md., hunting for a title but lost both games they played.
But time has a way of salving old wounds, and one of the best basketball teams the Utes ever fielded relished a chance to receive framed jerseys at halftime on Saturday— as well as a chance to be with one another.
Pimm, an assistant on the 1966 team who went on to lead the Utes for nine seasons himself, tried once to get a gathering together on the 25th anniversary, which didn't work out. While he wished it wouldn't have taken 26 more years, he was glad it happened at all.
"It's nice that we're able to do this, even though we're all in our 70s," Pimm said. "It could be the last time we see each other. It's a history, a very rich tradition."
About a dozen living members of the team, or representatives of the deceased, were on hand for the standing ovation of the Huntsman Center crowd during Utah's 67-59 win over Stanford.
"I'm honored to be here, and I was honored to represent the university when I did," said Bill Ivey, a Utah native who lives in San Diego. "I feel like I formed some lifelong relationships with my fellow players."
Chambers was the star, averaging 28.7 points per game that season as a 6-foot-6, do-everything forward. In only two years at Utah, he scored 1,400 career points without the 3-point line.
Pimm remembered how Chambers' shot arc was near unblockable, no matter who was defending him. Utah rode his scoring throughout the tournament: He had 143 points in only three games.
But falling to Texas Western and Duke in the tournament wasn't the team's biggest missed opportunity, Chambers said.
"My only regret: We never beat BYU that season," Chambers said. "I wanted to beat them so bad."
Twitter: @kylegoon