Chance's Lifelong Passion Was WSU

[ShockBand]

I can only hope I live long enough to be this dedicated of a fan. Since my freshman year in 1986-87, I estimate I've been to about 60% of the home games, and well north of 90% from 86 to 91 and over the past eight years or so.

RIP, Bill Chance, your spirit will forever be a part of the Roundhouse.

http://www.kansas.com/2011/01/07/1662765/chances-lifelong-passion-was-wsu.html

[KC Shox]

Nice story. The guy had the 'gut' feeling something was not right. I just wish he had followed it and ignored any stubborness or pride that got in the way.

[Kung Wu]

Great read!

[Shirley Schmidt]

Bill was a strange but great guy, he grew up with my dad and uncles in Douglass.

R.I.P.

[shox1989]

A great read. He surely was a tremendous Shocker fan.

[shockar25]

I don't think any sports team or University could claim to have a more dedicated, passionate fan than Mr. Chance. We are blessed at WSU for having many very, very loyal fans, even if sometimes it seems like there are too many 'bandwagon' fans during the best years. Hopefully this successful year we are having is helping to plant the seeds for more great life long fans that can look at Mr. Chance as a guide!

RIP

[WstateU]

There was a young man that passed away during the Sweet Sixteen season (Vince or Vance if IIRC?) of a terminal illness. Mark Turgeon even talked about him one night on his coaches show. He posted regularly here and was another one of the highly dedicated and passionate Shocker fans. He died much too early and I remember thinking how he must have been up above smiling when we defeated Tennessee.

Hopefully, the death of Bill Chance will in some way inspire the Shockers to even greater heights this season.

[ISASO]

On our way to Shocker games, we stop and pick up a "long-time" fan. By long time, I mean he's been attending games since the Shox played at the Forum and has probably missed 5 games in all of his years. One time he told me he attended his first Shocker game in 1949. Wow.

Props to you SuperFan Bob Gfeller! (And thanks to your wife Shirley for giving you the Lifetime Shocker Game kitchen pass.)

[forevershockerfan]

What an awesome and loyal Shocker fan. Through the years, when the Shocks are really playing well, fans come out of the woodwork. Even so, there is an attractive fanbase that follow our beloved Shockers through thick and thin. Many of us never met Bill Chance, but it is a honor to know each and every time we made any home Shocker game, Bill was always right there cheering along with us for our Shocks. The Shocks and basketball is a hobby to many. Then there are those fans like Bill Chance that Shocker Basketball is a passion. On Dictionary.com on the Net, it defines the word 'passion' as follows: "A strong or extravagant fondness enthusiasm, or desire for anything:--a passion for music." This description is not of a fair-weathered Shocker fan, but rather zealous Shocker fans with gusto and loyalty that defies logic. This type of passion explains why that even through the toughest years here at 21st and Hillside, through rain or sleet or snow, there were that loyal base of fans in our stands, sometimes as loud as a full house. Bill Chance was the epitome of passionate Shocker fans that join us game in and game out and cheer their hearts out.

This true and cool story reminds me of the time Coach Marshall stopped a practice when he first coached here. He wanted our Shockers to take a moment from their hard work to learn a valuable lesson about life. Coach Marshall pointed out a Family that were looking at some available Season tickets to purchase. Coach wanted our players to know how sacrificial it is for some to afford these tickets in their daily budget. Thus, the lesson was he also expected our players to also offer their full efforts in doing the best job they can do on the court as well.