2016-10-11

Center for Public History, University of Houston; University of Houston Libraries, University of Houston

On October 11, 2016, Nathan Fannin interviewed Bill Worrell to discuss his career in broadcast and professional basketball in Houston. Worrell speaks about his beginnings at the University of Houston, and current involvement with the university, his early broadcasting days with KPRC, and eventually commentating professional baseball and basketball for the Astros and Rockets. After competing with the University of Houston to gain fans in the city, Worrell points to Elvin Hayes as the prospect that brought interest to the Houston Rockets after they moved from San Diego in the 1960s. He also recounts the excitement of the first season in Houston, advancing to the NBA Finals after clinching playoff contention on the final day of the season. Also, the Worrell discussed the Rockets mobility as the team had no one designated arena, playing in Hofheinz Pavilion, Astro Arena, as well as in Waco and San Antonio. The success of the Rockets in the late 1980s to mid-1990s raking in two back-to-back championships, and the Houston Comets winning four championships beginning with the inaugural season of the WNBA, rank among some of the greatest achievements of long-time owner Leslie Alexander. He mentions the often-overlooked likelihood that the Rockets could have been contenders for the NBA Championship during the Yao Ming-Tracy McGrady era and how injury thwarted Alexander’s efforts. Worrell closes the interview with an optimistic outlook on the state of the Rockets as they look to the future with James Harden and a cast of new characters. Interviewer: Nathan Fannon.

interviews

Sports; Worrell, William H., Jr.

Houston, Texas

Oral Histories from the Houston History Project

University of Houston Libraries Special Collections

English

Collection
University of Houston Libraries Special Collections
Houston History Archives
Oral Histories from the Houston History Project

Preservation Location: ark:/84475/pm29354g311