MY editor of eight years ago looked around the room and caught a glimpse of me before I had time to duck under my desk. Desk job still better
than Knight shiftHe had just received word that Indiana University head basketball coach Bobby Knight was in town to give a motivational speech at a Las Vegas plumber's convention that afternoon and thought somebody should interview college basketball's most colorful and controversial coach.
It turned out to be me.
On the ride over, I tried to formulate a list of questions that wouldn't send Knight into one of his famous tirades. While I had seen this chair-throwing, plaid-wearing national treasure on television, I had never met him face-to-face.
As planned, I arrived about 15 minutes before Knight was to make his speech. The liaison promised my sports editor that Knight was expecting me and that he would gladly answer any questions before his presentation.
Unfortunately for me, that wasn't the case.
The convention center liaison had been in this situation many times before. He figured Knight -- like many other personalities who spoke at conventions -- wouldn't mind a little publicity from the Las Vegas press.
So he didn't tell Knight I was coming until I arrived. Knight looked over at me like I owed him money and emphatically shook his head. It was not a good sign.
"Mr. Knight will be glad to speak to you after his presentation," the liaison nervously said. "He said if you wait, he'd be happy to give you 15 minutes."
I tried to figure out how he read all that from one firm shake of the head, but I figured it was worth a shot. My sports editor already had a banner headline in mind. It would be nice to have a story to go with it.
WHILE waiting, I listened to Knight blend his special brand of humor with his strong beliefs on how to be a winner. When done, the room irrupted with a loud standing ovation that Knight acknowledged with a simple wave of his hand.
Now it was my turn.
The first thing he did upon seeing me was give a scowl that would intimidate the wicked witch. The liaison introduced me and the first thing out of Knight's mouth was, "How come every where I go I have to deal with jerks like you?"
The only comeback I had was, "Just lucky I guess."
He told me I had three questions.
Trying to make sure I covered the local angle, the first brilliant question I asked was what he thought about then-UNLV head coach Jerry Tarkanian's team and its chances in the coming season.
"How the hell should I know?" Knight fired back. "Next question."
I fidgeted a little bit before asking what he thought the chances of his team were in the coming season. Bad idea.
"When the season is over, you'll be the first person I call to let know," Knight replied. "Next question."
SAVING the best question for last, I asked him how he was enjoying his stay in Las Vegas. Unfortunately for me, he wasn't.
"I'm on the next plane out of here," Knight said. "Those are your three questions. Now, if there's nothing else."
Of course, there was, but I couldn't think of anything before he walked off and disappeared into a crowd of plumbers who had been waiting patiently for my 30-second interview to end.
Later that day, I told Tarkanian about my brief encounter and he just laughed. "That's Bobby," Tark said. "He's something else."
I sheepishly played the taped interview for my boss, who found no humor in it and blamed me for my ineptitude. But I learned a valuable lesson.
This week, when my sports editor looked around the room for someone to interview Knight, I was already under my desk.
Paul Arnett has been covering sports
for the Star-Bulletin since 1990.
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