BOULDER, Colo. — Burdette “Burdie” Haldorson, one of the best players in University of Colorado basketball history, has died at 89.
Haldorson died Oct. 13 after a short illness in Colorado Springs, CU said on Thursday.
Haldorson averaged 15 points and 9.5 rebounds in 77 games in his CU career and was the first of only eight players ever to score at least 1,100 points and record 700 or more rebounds.
His No. 22 was the first (of two) in CU program history to be retired. Haldorson was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1977 and into CU’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.
Haldorson also won two gold medals playing for the United States in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and the 1960 Rome Olympics.
“The University of Colorado and our basketball program has lost a great one in Burdie Haldorson,” said CU men's head basketball coach Tad Boyle. “Burdie is truly one of the great Buffaloes of all time, not just as a player, but more importantly as a human being.”
“Burdie holds a very special place in our history, a tremendous athlete, a great alum and just a wonderful man,” said CU athletic director Rick George. “He was always very supportive of all our programs, not just the men’s basketball team. It was always a pleasure to visit with him, be it here on campus or at the numerous functions we held in Colorado Springs.”
There will be a celebration of his life from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Sports
> Top stories curated daily just for you! Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER to get can’t-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.
MORE WAYS TO GET 9NEWS
Subscribe to our daily 9NEWSLETTER
Download the 9NEWS APP
iTunes: http://on9news.tv/itunes
Google Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n
HOW TO ADD THE 9NEWS APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KUSA.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "9news" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.