Chris Beard’s Tarkanian story is raising eyebrows
Did Chris Beard tell a tall Texas tale during his introductory speech as UNLV’s new basketball coach?
He charmed Rebels boosters and fans with a story about Jerry Tarkanian and his son Danny that’s raising eyebrows.
Beard told the gathering, “It’s just surreal to think about those conversations I had with coach (Tarkanian) and Danny and how it came full circle today.”
According to Beard, who was head coach at Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College for the 1999-2000 season, “I’ll never forget all the coaches that came in to see our players. A couple even came in in limousines, in Lincolns or nice cars.
“But when coach and Danny came in, they were in a pickup truck. I guess coach forgot to make a (car rental) reservation at the airport, so they just started walking to the gym in Fort Scott.”
While hitchhiking, they got picked up by a farmer who gave the Tarkanians a ride to the gym, Beard said.
Danny Tarkanian was asked about the story last Thursday during an interview on ESPN Radio in Las Vegas.
“I have no recollection of that, nor do I believe that it happened,” he told radio hosts Mitch Moss and Mike Pritchard.
Tarkanian, who was an assistant on his father’s Fresno State University staff that season, cited a couple of reasons he questions Beard’s account.
“My dad was not in the greatest health at the end of his coaching career,” he said.
“We were not going to be walking the streets, I can guarantee you that.” he added.
“Furthermore my dad only traveled outside of California for very few recruiting trips at the end of his career. He went to New York and he went to Barton County. I cannot recall ever going to Fort Sumter, Kan., (he meant Fort Scott) with him nor do I recall any player that he had. I’m not going to say it’s definitely not true, I just don’t remember it and it doesn’t make sense to me.”
He added, “Sitting here today I have no recollection of that or if my dad walked. I can’t fathom that happened and if he made it up it doesn’t say a lot about his character.”
Beard backed out of his contract with UNLV seven days after signing and accepted an offer with Texas Tech.
NEWTON AND FRIENDS
Wayne Newton’s six-year absence as a Las Vegas headliner ended with a little help from his friends.
Newton returned to the stage on Thursday at Bally’s with his storytelling show “Up Close and Personal.” At his side was country star Neal McCoy, who enjoyed it so much he stayed on Friday and Saturday.
It wasn’t planned that way. It involves a sad story.
Newton’s longtime pianist, Don Vincent, was unable to join Newton because of the death of Vincent’s wife, Lois, a day after the opening night of the T-Mobile Arena on April 6.
Newton had worked with McCoy’s pianist and put in a call to McCoy to see if he could borrow her.
“He decided to fly in and join me on my opening night. We had such a ball he stayed on for two more nights,” said Newton.
The show took so many unexpected turns, said Newton, “that my 14-year-old daughter sat there with tears running down her face and the next minute she was laughing so hard she couldn’t contain herself.”
At one point, an amplifier cord got tangled around Newton’s foot. When his wife, Kathleen, came onstage to extricate Newton, he didn’t introduce her. Most of the crowd was unaware of the connection and Newton took full advantage, asking her if she was married. Hilarity ensued.
He’s appearing in Bally’s second-floor Windows Showroom for the 32-week engagement.
THE SCENE AND HEARD SIGHTINGS
Actress Demi Moore, with a group of galpals at “Thunder From Down Under” (Excalibur) on Friday. The friends included Aleksandra Melnichenko, wife of Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, and Caroline Stanbury of the British show “Ladies of London.” They were celebrating Stanbury’s birthday. … Country star Kacey Musgraves, taking a spin on The High Roller (Linq) Friday with her sister Kelly and fellow band members.
THE PUNCH LINE
“Queen Elizabeth is having her portrait done by Annie Leibovitz. She’s releasing a new stamp in her honor in May. There is a public celebration of her birthday. In June there is a service at St. Paul’s plus a big parade — and she gets to wear her birthday tiara all year long.” — Stephen Colbert.
Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. On Twitter: @Norm_Clarke
