RIP Chris Dufresne

My story is small but the fact I remember I guess shows the overall sentiment here. I covered exactly one game with him. In Wyoming in the early 2000s when they played BYU and BYU was undefeated and people were asking that age old question if they belonged in BCS conversations and a seat at the table. It was before the Utahs and Boises and TCUs had really crashed the party so that's why he was there. To get a look at them and report on it.

I remember being with him on the sideline once the media was allowed down on the field and then of course in interview sessions. I was just a few years out of school, but he asked me tons of questions about the programs that played that night and the league and all that. Goes with the how grounded he was, like Tweener said. Me this no-name barely experienced reporter at a no-name Wyoming paper and the main guy from the L.A. Times is chatting me up about all of it. We even joked around some about the teams and game we just saw. Maybe I would have remembered anyway just because of who he was, but I think an overall experience like that makes it that much more memorable.

And BYU crashed and burned at the end of the season.

 

Absolutely this! When I returned to California about 15 years ago, the Sunday final edition of the Times was sold at a gas station down the street. Dufrense, Heisler on the NBA, hell, even Plaschke and Simers were my first reads. Astounded me how much Dufrense got into the Sunday column, even the West Coast night games.

RIP.

 

In 1984, I believe, the USFL Los Angeles Express had its media day at a health resort. After the festivities they opened the grounds to us and Chris and I played racquetball. I thought I was pretty good, but he kicked my butt. I never forgot how gracious he was, practically apologizing for beating me so badly.

RIP

 

If you followed the Pac-10/Pac-12, he was a must-read. Met him several times on the old Skywriter's Tour and in pressboxes at Microville Tech and in Los Angeles. Never big-timed the guy from the little hometown paper. The LA Times sports department was the gold standard.

 

Award-winning sportswriter Dufresne dies at 62

 

My initial reaction and sentiments, exactly...

 

Awful news Chris Dufresne was one of the most insightful and funny writers covering college football