Special Memorial ("Report from Hec Ed")
By: Mike Archbold, 15 May 2002

 

The themes stressed over and over again by those who knew Curtis included his happy disposition, his courage, and  the love of his family and the many people close to him.

Bob Rondeau was the Master of Ceremonies and he did an outstanding job. 

The program opened with a video presentation which originally aired on KING TV of an interview with Curtis.  Curtis talked on the video with some difficulty about how much being a Husky meant to him, and how much
he missed playing.  The video also included an interview with  Kees Vanderputten, who suffered nearly the same injury as Curtis.  The two had become friends and continued to have discussions by phone after they had both been released from the hospital.  Later in the program Rondeau interviewed Kees, who was present.  Kees recounted his experience with
C-Dub live, first-hand.

Perhaps the most significant part of Barbara Hedges' talk was the announcement that a portion of the Curtis Williams fund would be diverted to Curtis' daughter in due course.  I recollect that she referred to a trust fund, but no specifics were given.

I found the most moving talk to be Rick Neuheisel's.  Rick is indeed a good speaker.  He talked about how he originally moved Curtis from the offensive backfield over to defense.  Rick said that Curtis told him that "Hey, Coach, I all I want to do is play."  Evidently Rick made a good decision because Curtis became a starter immediately.

I have to confess that I found Neuheisel's talk nothing short of
fascinating at this point.  He began to talk about teamwork, how the individual sort of became subsumed by the group, and I knew this was no quick-hire coach in a suit, this was the real thing.  It was as if he momentarily forgot the circumstances and he was addressing the Husky
team itself.  I sat and listened, spellbound and awestruck.  Even at my relatively advanced age of 39 he made me want to put on a uniform again and get out there and hit somebody. 

Rick talked about the Rose Bowl.  It had originally been planned that Curtis was to be in the press box, but that "Curtis had changed the plan" and was going to be with the team in the locker room.  Rick recounted the moving scene of Curtis in the locker room before that great game against Purdue.

Wondame Davis and Willie Hurst both gave moving and at times entertaining talks.  Davis mentioned that for some reason Curtis always showed up to fall camp out of shape, saying that Curtis had "a bit of a gut." But for some reason, according to Wondame, Curtis was making all the sticks and the big plays anyway, and was the first guy running
downfield. 

Bobby Hauck (Curtis' position coach) talked about how he was inspired by Curtis, and that it was a privilege to be able to assist Curtis in throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the recent Mariners' game.

Curtis Williams has officially been given his degree.  This announcement is great news and brought a standing ovation from the crowd.  The degree was accepted by David Williams, his brother.

Antowaine Richardson, former Husky, sang twice.  He is an excellent singer.

There was a video presentation of Curtis' finest moments as a safety.  There were a lot of great hits shown, and murmurs of "right on," "nice stick," and so on when C-Dub would really pancake somebody.  At one point he plastered an Oregon runner, and even under the circumstances of the memorial there was some yelling as some of us totally forgot what was going on!

At the end of the program, Rondeau  instructed the audience that one side would shout "C," and the other side "W" three times.  This was done with a lot of gusto.  Indeed this was a celebration of Curtis.  Virtually all the speakers talked about his smile and his enthusiasm, how he never wanted any pity, and that we should remember him as the excellent athlete and much loved man that he was.

Walking out of Hec Ed in the waning hours of evening, I glanced over to my section in an empty Husky Stadium.  Recalling all the excitement of game day, just for a moment, surrounded by all the purple and gold, I felt again as if I was leaving a winning game.  And Curtis was a major
contributing factor in those magical games.  I have been very fortunate to have been able to see some of the wildest, most astonishing football games ever in recent years... and C-Dub was a major, contributing factor. 

GO C-Dub!