Dwight Clay still known for The Shot that beat UCLA
And that’s OK with him.
“My co-workers will even bring it up sometimes. It lets me know I did some good in the neighborhood,” Clay said with a laugh. “I don’t mind talking about it as long as it’s in a congratulatory type of manner. That was my 15 minutes of fame. I said it might last 30 years. Now it’s 40-some years and it’s still famous.
“People just remember that shot. But I led the team in assists three consecutive years at Notre Dame. I hit some other game-winning shots. You don’t get the name Iceman for making just one shot.”
Clay laughed again. He hoped to play professional basketball, and had tryouts with the Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks, but did not make the team. He came back to Pittsburgh and started officiating immediately in his early 20s. He hasn’t stopped since. Clay and his wife, Karen, live in Stanton Heights and their two children have given them seven grandchildren.
Grandpa is still running around some high schools gyms in his black and white striped shirt. He says parents need to “chill out” and let their kids enjoy playing more, but he has no immediate plans of giving up officiating.
“I love seeing young kids play,” said Clay. “I kind of picture myself playing the game and it brings goose bumps sometimes. I really enjoy the officiating. I have to like it. I’m still doing it.”
Clay has distinct memories of his high school and college days, recalling specific games, scores and opponents. “I’m like an encyclopedia,” he said.
He remembers quite well the 1969 City League championship game at the Civic Arena when he was a sophomore and Fifth Avenue beat Allegheny in front of 4,631 fans for an afternoon game. Fifth Avenue made it to the PIAA semifinals that year before losing to Farrell, 5951, at Pitt’s Fitzgerald Field House.
“There was that popcorn smell coming through the stands. I can still smell it today,” said Clay. “I remember Farrell had that Randy Crowder and they ran that weave on offense. You’d get all dizzy and then they’d break and have a layup. I think I had about 10 points.” Actually, it was 15. As a senior, Clay said Fifth Avenue was the second-best team in the state. The problem was the No. 1 team in the state was also in the City League — and in Fifth Avenue’s section. Schenley finished first in the section and beat South Hills in the City championship. That 1971 Schenley team is considered one of the best in Western Pennsylvania history and featured legendary players Maurice Lucas, Ricky Coleman and Jeep Kelly.
“When I was in college and they would ask me who the best player I ever played against, I would always say Ricky Coleman,” said Clay. “I always said Ricky Coleman made me a better player.”
While Clay has vivid memories of his high school days, he also can clearly see that UCLA game 44 years ago. UCLA took a 70-59 lead with a little less than four minutes left, but UCLA wouldn’t score again. Notre Dame started forcing turnovers with their press and two jumpers by Gary Brokaw brought the Fighting Irish within 70-69 with 1:25 left. UCLA’s Keith Wilkes was then called for an offensive foul to give Notre Dame the ball.
Clay has told what happened next seemingly 1,000 times, but he didn’t mind reliving it one more time.
“The play was meant to go to Gary Brokaw because he was having a good game against Wilkes, and [Notre Dame’s] John Shumate was having a good game against [UCLA’s] Bill Walton,” said Clay. “It was meant to be a two-man play for Shumate and Brokaw, but Tommy Curtis started moving to help Wilkes out against Brokaw. Curtis started cheating and I started drifting to the corner. Iwas waving my hands feverishly for the ball, like, ‘Throw me the ball. Throw me the damn ball.’ Brokaw finally noticed me and threw me the ball. Brokaw got the assist for the biggest shot in Notre Damehistory.”
As Clay’s shot was in the air, Walton stood at the rim, arms outstretched for the rebound. But there wouldn’t be a rebound. There would just be a spot in college basketball lore for Dwight Clay.
The Shot. Enough said.