Wayman Tisdale Foundation Gets Big Boost

By Gan Matthews, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The late Wayman Tisdale will be remembered as a superb basketball player, an accomplished jazz musician and a great Oklahoma goodwill ambassador. Tisdale's legacy's living on because of one of his last acts before his death.

Wayman Tisdale packed two lifetimes into one-- on the court and on the concert stage. But at 44, he lost a leg to cancer and a few months later cancer claimed his life. For his widow Regina, life without Wayman is a daily struggle.

"I guess because he traveled so much, my way that I'm coping is I'm telling myself that he's traveling, that he's on the road," Regina Tisdale said.

Before he died, Wayman established a foundation that bears his name. Its purpose is to assist other amputees who need prostheses. Monday at the Twin Hills Golf and Country Club, the Wayman Tisdale Foundation got a big boost.

The All-Sports Association and ESPN presented Regina Tisdale with a $15,000 check for the foundation. The money comes from the proceeds of the All-College Classic, which the association and ESPN sponsored.

"Well, I think it's the right thing to do. Wayman Tisdale meant so much to this state and to this event," said Clint Overby with ESPN.

"We're certainly proud to be part of giving a small part to seed money into the Wayman Tisdale Foundation," said Tim Brassfield with the All-Sports Association.

Regina Tisdale is grateful for the money towards her late husband's foundation and his legacy,

"We're going to primarily service Oklahomans with prostheses," Regina said.

Learn more about the Wayman Tisdale Foundation and make a donation.