Abe Pollin

My first knowledge of the man Abe Pollin came through my being a fan of basketball player Westley Unseld.

Unseld is a living legend in my hometown, Louisville, Kentucky. A local kid who stayed at home when he chose a college. All-American, All-Pro, and eventually an NBA Champion and Hall-of-Fame player, only the second NBA player to be named Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in his rookie season (along with Wilt Chamberlain), Mr. Unseld did no wrong. And his entire family seemed just as solid, (my older brother was taught at Seneca High by Westley's older brother George). So, when a citizen and athlete as solid as Westley Unseld trusted Mr. Pollin enough to go to work for him without signing a contract, just a handshake deal, literally, and that trust was confirmed time and again, then it was apparent that Mr. Pollin was also a special man.

It may seem strange to talk so much about another while lauding Mr. Pollin, but so strong is my respect for Mr. Unseld that his opinion of the man is, in my mind, the ultimate testament to how important a figure Mr. Pollin is in history. There are many others who also know of the greatness that was Abe Pollin, his community is filled with people who benefited from his industry, his integrity, and his sense of purpose. I never met the man, I wish I had. I regret how little I know of the man, but that handshake set a picture in my mind that he was the kind of man I strive to be, the kind of man we should all strive to be. But there was so much more there, and now we have lost his contributions and must carry on on our compass; may ours be as true as his.

"I just lost a real, real good friend," said Unseld, star of the 1978 title team who later became the team's coach and then general manager. "And I think it's more than any of you will understand or I could even explain. It's just going to be a big void in sports in this community."