February 21, 2013 Page 5 Basketball Legend Dr. Jerry Buss Passes Away at 80 Courtesy of the an era of success unrivaled in the history of the third Laker to enter the Hall as a contributor On October 30, 2006, Dr. Buss’ inventive Los Angeles Lakers/ D-Fenders Southern California professional sports. (Chick Hearn, Pete Newell). spirit empowering fans to never miss a home Dr. Jerry Buss, longtime owner of the As owner of the Lakers, Dr. Buss oversaw Dr. Buss was a graduate of the University game earned him a star on Hollywood’s Walk Los Angeles Lakers and owner of the Los a franchise that won 10 Larry O’Brien of Wyoming, earning a Bachelor’s degree of Fame in a ceremony attended by his staff, Angeles D-Fenders, passed away on Monday championship trophies, reached the NBA Finals in Chemistry and later a Ph. D in Physical close friends and family. morning after a long illness. He was 80 on 16 occasions, and missed the playoffs just Chemistry from the University of Southern Yet for all of his accomplishments in years old. twice. Furthermore, the Lakers compiled the California. After a brief career in the aerospace business and sports, Dr. Buss was equally The Buss family and the Lakers organization NBA’s best record under his guidance, going industry, Dr. Buss and Frank Mariani, an respected for his philanthropic efforts. Among sent out the following on Monday shortly after 1786-926 overall (.659 winning percentage). aerospace engineer, drew upon their scientific his countless philanthropic endeavors, Buss the passing of the greatest owner in the history Some 27 years after his journey began with the training to launch a career in real estate. For focused on supporting education along with of professional sports: Lakers, Dr. Buss became the first NBA owner to Dr. Buss, the real estate firm of Mariani-Buss the needs of disadvantaged youth and the “We not only have lost our cherished father, own and operate an NBA Development League Associates was originally intended only to elderly. For his generous efforts he was but a beloved man of our community and team, starting the D-Fenders franchise in 2006 provide income, which would allow him to honored by such organizations as the City of a person respected by the world basketball to help develop NBA talent for the Lakers. pursue his love for teaching. The expansion Hope, NAACP, the B’nai B’rith, United Negro community,” a statement released on behalf Under Dr. Buss’ ownership, the D-Fenders of the real estate firm was so fast, though, that College Fund, United Indian Development of the Buss family said. produced countless NBA players and, in just it would not allow time for other professions. Associations, American Hebrew University, Ultimately, Dr. Buss parlayed his original National Organization of Women, Boys and $1,000 investment in a West Los Angeles Girls Clubs of America, Muscular Dystrophy apartment building into assets that eventually Association, the Los Angeles Human Relations enabled to him to achieve his second love, Commission and Heart of Los Angeles Youth, ownership of a major league sports team. along with many others. Dr. Buss also funded A true pioneer and trailblazer in innumerable scholarships at his alma maters, Wyoming ways, Dr. Buss initiated many innovative and USC, and endowed the Magic Johnson marketing changes (which included a major Scholarship at Michigan State University. advertising agreement with Great Western Dr. Buss is survived by sons Johnny, Jim, Bank in 1988 to name the team’s formerarena Joey and Jesse and daughters Jeanie Buss and the Great Western Forum), and as a result, Janie Drexel, all of Southern California; eight many of his strategies are emulated today by grandchildren; former wife JoAnn of Las Vegas; franchises across each of the major North half sister Susan Hall of Phoenix; half brother American professional sporting leagues. Micky Brown of Scottsdale; and stepbrother In addition to his role with the Lakers, Dr. Jim Brown of Star Valley, Wyoming. Buss served two terms as President of the A memorial service for Dr. Buss will NBA Board of Governors and helped launch be held on Thursday, February 21st at Prime Ticket Network (now FS West/Prime Nokia Theatre, L.A. LIVE. In lieu of Ticket) in 1985. Altering the look of sports flowers, the family requests that donations television, Prime Ticket televised all of the be made to the Lakers Youth Founda- Lakers home games and shortly became the tion or a charity of the donor’s choice. • nation’s premier regional sports cable network. Photos by NBAE/Getty Images. Dr. Buss had been hospitalized much of the six seasons of existence, had already won past 18 months in a battle which “showed his the Development Champion award, set the amazing strength and will to live. It was our regular season record for wins (38-12) and father’s often stated desire and expectation that reached the NBA D-League Finals, among the Lakers remain in the Buss family. The other successes. A true pioneer both in the Lakers have been our lives as well and we NBA as well as the NBA D-League, now a will honor his wish and do everything in our total of five NBA D-League teams are owned power to continue his unparalleled legacy,” the and operated by an NBA team, a number that statement concluded. will likely continue to grow. In 1979, Dr. Buss purchased the Lakers along As result of his incredible successes, Dr. with the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL, The Buss was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Great Western Forum and a 13,000-acre Kern Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, County Ranch in June of that year, and so began Massachusetts on August 13, 2010, becoming
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