Art Heyman personally brought the Duke-North Carolina rivalry into the modern era.
One of the greatest Duke basketball players of all time, Art Heyman, died last night at age 71, according to a tweet from the Blue Devils' official team account. Heyman, the National Player of the Year in 1963, was recently named one of the five greatest Blue Devils of the past 50 years in ESPN's coutdown of the top 50 programs over that span (Duke came in at No. 4). In addition to those honors and the No. 25 that hangs in Cameron Indoor's rafters, Heyman holds a special place in Duke lore for one other notable reason.
As noted in last week's story about Mike Krzyzewski's growing popularity, it was Heyman who personally brought the Duke-North Carolina rivalry into the modern phase:
College basketball’s most storied duel entered its modern phase in Cameron Indoor Stadium on Feb. 4, 1961, when both the freshman and varsity games featured fights. The most notable brawl occurred at the end of the main event when 10 Durham policemen attempted to break up a stadium-wide melee after North Carolina’s Larry Brown punched Duke’s Art Heyman (a former UNC commit) after a hard foul.
GoDuke.com's Al Featherston (a longtime Duke beat writer) wrote a much more detailed account of Heyman's recruiting and other events that led to the brawl on the floor. Give it read, if you've got a second. And, if you didn't already, watch the clip of the fight at the post of the post. 'Twas a fight, indeed.
The news of Heyman's death, which, as noted above, was announced via twitter, brought a wave of tweets from Duke alumni near and far:
Sorry to hear of the passing of Duke great Art Heyman. May he rest in peace.
RIP Art Heyman, No. 25, ACC Basketball legend. He was a tough player, and a true original.
Gods Bball team up in heaven just got alot better and tougher!! RIP ArtHeyman! #dukelegend
Thoughts and prayers go out to Art Heyman and his family... A Duke legend...His #25 will hang in Cameron forever!!
Rest in peace to Mr. Art Heyman, one of the best to ever wear a Duke uniform. Prayers go out to his family and friends.
Comments
Art Heyman
Sat, 09/15/2012 - 12:55 — teddy91I'm very sorry to hear of Art Heyman's death. As an undergrad. at Duke during those years, I saw him play many times. He was just the toughest guy driving to the basket I ever saw,against all those taller trees, an arrogant genius at the game, who always got his points. His teammates were great ,too, and included Howard Hurt, Johnny Frye, Carrol Youngkin, and Doug Kistler, among others. Duke lost a great BB player and an inspiration to all Devils fans then and ever since.
Wow greatness in otion
Tue, 08/28/2012 - 20:48 — joseph_13I had the privelage of watching him play nc state in Reynolds. He had a real good set shot, a dynamite hook shot, fine jump shot, and a powerful right cross.
Art Heyman and the 1966 Championship
Tue, 08/28/2012 - 12:34 — mrpoonI remember when Duke returned to Durham from the 1966 National Championship where Duke placed 3rd.Art was asked by a reporter just how good the all black Texas Western team which beat Kentucky for the National title was, that few had even heard of were.He said,'they can do everything with a basketball but sign it."
Hilarious
Tue, 08/28/2012 - 21:40 — JPDOhioCan you imagine if someone said that today?
Art Heyman
Tue, 08/28/2012 - 11:23 — tkolojayI had the pleasure of meeting Art as I was being recruited by Duke. A very rare individual. He will be missed by all those who knew him and by those who have read of his exploits, both on and off the court.