Soft-spoken Thomas center of attention for WWU's 'Big Blue of '72'

Some 41-plus years have passed since the last time Rudy Thomas donned the basketball jersey of his alma mater, Western Washington University.

Although his memories lack the level of detail they once did, the 68-year-old Thomas needed little spurring on to conjure what he remembers of the 1972 basketball team that finished fifth at the NAIA National Championship tournament.

"We were some place we had never been before," Thomas said, referring to the team that was two wins away from a chance at the national championship.