Willie Sojourner
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Willie Sojourner (born September 10, 1943; died October 19, 2005) was recruited to Weber State University by Coach Dick Motta.
Sojourner's basketball career (1968-71) at Weber State included Big Sky Conference records in scoring and rebounding. He lead the Wildcats to 3 Big Sky Conference regular-season titles. His career stats include 1,563 points and 1,143 rebounds. Sojourner still ranks second in rebounding and first in career rebounding average at 14.1 per game. Sojourner went on to play in the American Basketball Association for the Virginia Squires and New York Nets. He was traded to the Nets along with Julius Erving and was the best man at Irving's wedding. Sojourner even dubbed Irving with the nickname "Dr. J". Sojourner also played professionally in Italy.
Tragically, on October 19, 2005, Sojourner was killed in an automobile accident near Rieti, Italy where he played professionally for eight years. At the time of his death, he was serving as head coach of a club team in Rieti. At WSU he is considered one of the greatest basketball stars in school history.
