Sampson legitimized Chaminade's upset in 1982

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Yesterday's star-spangled reunion celebrating one of the most astonishing upsets in college basketball history — Chaminade's 77-72 victory over No. 1-ranked Virginia on Dec. 23, 1982 — would not have been possible without the guest of honor, Virginia's 7-foot-4 center Ralph Sampson.

Ralph Sampson, right, attended yesterday's reunion to celebrate Chaminade's stunning 77-72 upset of then-No. 1 Virginia on Dec. 23, 1982. At left are former Silverswords Tim Dunham and Tony Randolph. Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser

Sampson's presence in that historic game in the Blaisdell Arena certified the legacy of that night. Sampson, college basketball's three-time Player of the Year, was the image of Goliath.

At the time, Virginia was never referred to singularly. Sampson was The Boss and his teammates were the E Street Band, and even at yesterday's gathering, it was repeatedly mentioned that Chaminade faced "Ralph Sampson and Virginia."

"If it wasn't for Ralph — his stature, his abilities, his fame — I don't think it would have gotten to this point, in terms of excitement and significance," Randolph said.

There were concerns Sampson would not play that night. He suffered a knee injury two weeks earlier, and he missed the previous two games in Japan because of pneumonia. Chaminade needed Sampson, as much as Superman needed Lex Luthor.

"To beat the real Virginia, you had to beat Ralph Sampson," said Richard Haenisch, Chaminade's small forward. "Ralph Sampson was synonymous with Virginia at the time. We were very happy he played against us. If we were going to beat a team that was No. 1, we wanted to beat one that was at full strength. That's what made it so huge."

Sampson scored 12 points that night, the Cavaliers were called for traveling late in the game (by an Atlantic Coast Conference official), and the rest became history and a line of T-shirts proclaiming, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Chaminade."

"Without Ralph, Virginia would just be another team," said Merv Lopes, Chaminade's head coach. "Anytime I've gone anyplace, I always say, 'I want to thank Ralph Sampson.' If it wasn't for Ralph, I wouldn't be here talking to you (reporters). I honestly believe that."

Indeed, Sampson said he realized the residual effect of that game. He said it helped spawn the Maui Invitational, the nationally televised basketball tournament that attracts the top programs annually.

The game against Chaminade, Sampson said, "that's what life is all about. It's about winning and losing. Hopefully, you can learn from your losses. That was definitely a learning experience. But it did lead to the creation of a great tournament, the best in the country. Twenty years later, I realize, it's all for the good of basketball."

The reunion evoked memories, and tears. Randolph became salty-eyed when he spotted Curly Fujihara, the former team manager, who was walking gingerly with the help of a cane. Will Pounds, a former player and assistant coach, tearfully recalled his battle against brain cancer. Most of the players have successful careers and families.

"I'm so proud of them," Lopes said, gazing across the room. "I always told them, 'Life isn't just basketball. You have to pay attention to what you need to do.'"

Lopes then thanked Sampson before embracing each of the players and assistants who attended the reunion.

"All I cared about," Lopes said, "is that they were good citizens and contributed to their communities. They have. That's what I'll always remember about them."

Where are they now ...?

• Jeff Buich, forward: Small-business owner in Monterey, Calif.; married for 16 years, with six children.

• Tim Dunham, guard: Pastor of the Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Pittsburgh, Calif.; married for 20 years, with four children.

• Curly Fujihara, manager: Retired, living in Kailua.

• Richard Haenisch, forward: Financial planner in Los Angeles.

• Scott Hanson, forward: Sales manager in Seattle; married for 10 years, with two daughters.

• Merv Lopes, head coach: Retired, living on the Big Island.

• Will Pounds, assistant coach: Works part-time while recovering from brain tumor; married for 22 years, with two children.

• Tony Randolph, center: Juvenile counselor in Hawai'i; married, with a son.

• Mark Rodrigues, guard: Western Regional manager for Teijin Kasei America, a chemical company, in Orange County, Calif.; married, with two children.

• Ed Smith, guard: Account manager at Ceridian; married, with two daughters.

• Pete Smith, assistant coach: Kalaheo High's acting vice principal and head basketball coach; married, with three sons (including former UH basketball player Alika Smith).

• Jim Stewart, forward: Investment broker in Hollywood, Calif.

• Jasen Strickland, forward: Works for City of Palo Alto; married for 18 years.

• Mike Vasconcellos, athletic director: Consultant for Hawaiian Islanders football team.

• Mark Wells, guard: Works for real estate investment company in Houston; has two children.

• Ralph Sampson, Virginia center: After an All-Star career in the NBA, he founded the Winners Circle, an organization that provides sports opportunities for youths.

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Fun facts • Then known as Chaminade College, the school was set to be renamed the University of Honolulu. But after the upset, school administrators decided against the name change. A few years later, the school was named Chaminade University of Honolulu. • Virginia agreed to play Chaminade after failing to secure a game against the University of Hawai'i. • Virginia center Ralph Sampson missed the previous two games, in Japan, because of pneumonia and nearly did not play against Chaminade.