I ran track for coach Hunt in the 70's and played pick up ball (badly) at Harmon. When Gene The Dream dropped in I was always told to defend him because at least I had the legs to run with him. One game he put up 40 pts on me, which was almost fun because we only played to 20. He kept saying, "It's ok. That one didn't count!" He saw me leaving Harmon a little later and just walked over and handed me a free Fruity Rudy. I didn't really know him, but I knew him well enough to say he was a really good guy.
TKE Prytannis 79 and I were in the the same class at the same high school in Oakland and were the same class (75) that Gene Ransom was at Berkeley High. (And we still hang shit on each other). I remember hearing about what a star Gene was during our time in high school and when he became commit for CAL it was a big deal back then. He was a stud during his entire career at CAL and while I did not know him personally, I knew people that were friends of his and they all spoke very highly of him. It's always a tragedy when an innocent life is lost, but in this case it hits hard because he was such a great role model to the youth of Oakland and the East Bay. Such a tragedy. RIP Gene, you used to bring a lot of excitement and smiles to the Golden Bear family.
We were of the same era in Oakland and along with other local legends of the time (Wolf Perry, Doc Shavers) Gene was recognized as one of the best. I spoke with my best friend this morning,who played against Gene in High School and he confirmed that he was one of the best players he ever saw, which is saying a lot. RIP…such a tragedy.
RIP Gene Ransom, Cal basketball legend
I ran track for coach Hunt in the 70's and played pick up ball (badly) at Harmon. When Gene The Dream dropped in I was always told to defend him because at least I had the legs to run with him. One game he put up 40 pts on me, which was almost fun because we only played to 20. He kept saying, "It's ok. That one didn't count!" He saw me leaving Harmon a little later and just walked over and handed me a free Fruity Rudy. I didn't really know him, but I knew him well enough to say he was a really good guy.
Such a senseless death of a beloved person. Thank you for sharing this remembrance.
TKE Prytannis 79 and I were in the the same class at the same high school in Oakland and were the same class (75) that Gene Ransom was at Berkeley High. (And we still hang shit on each other). I remember hearing about what a star Gene was during our time in high school and when he became commit for CAL it was a big deal back then. He was a stud during his entire career at CAL and while I did not know him personally, I knew people that were friends of his and they all spoke very highly of him. It's always a tragedy when an innocent life is lost, but in this case it hits hard because he was such a great role model to the youth of Oakland and the East Bay. Such a tragedy. RIP Gene, you used to bring a lot of excitement and smiles to the Golden Bear family.
We were of the same era in Oakland and along with other local legends of the time (Wolf Perry, Doc Shavers) Gene was recognized as one of the best. I spoke with my best friend this morning,who played against Gene in High School and he confirmed that he was one of the best players he ever saw, which is saying a lot. RIP…such a tragedy.
road rage is real. be careful out there people