The Great Blizzard of '67

We Chicagoans love our extreme weather--not when it hits, exactly, but after the fact when we can relax and tell about it. Parents and grandparents still regale younger generations with tales of the great blizzards of 1967 and 1979 and the deep freezes of 1985 and 2014.

    

COLUMBUS DRIVE LOOKING EAST TOWARD LAKE SHORE DRIVE.

In 1966-67, the Bulls were in their first season of existence. After a promising start, a nine-game losing streak in November and December dropped them into last place in their division. "I remember how cold it was that first winter," sportswriter Bob Logan said, "and how small the crowds were."

     The Great Blizzard of '67 struck in late January, dumping almost 30 inches of snow on the city and surrounding areas. On January 29, the Bulls lost to Los Angeles by 20 points before an announced crowd of 1,077 at the International Amphitheatre (they didn't move to the Stadium until the following season). The usual suspects--Jerry West and Elgin Baylor for the Lakers, Jerry Sloan and Bob Boozer for the Bulls--were the game's leading scorers.

     When questioned about the announced attendance figure, Bulls owner Dick Klein said, "The actual attendance, including security guards, was something like 72 people." Since the Lakers were stranded in Chicago after the game, Klein treated them to a steak dinner.

 

 

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