Program Summary
“The Wayman Tisdale Story” gives a detailed account of the life of former basketball star and jazz musician, Wayman Tisdale. Told through his own words in two exclusive interviews captured in May of 2009, Tisdale leads a journey through his own life story, from his childhood as a preacher’s son to his recent battle with cancer that led to the amputation of his right leg. Tisdale’s life approach of compassion, courage, and optimism is embodied in this program.
At the University of Oklahoma, Tisdale became a star. He would go on to become the first player in college basketball history to be named a first team All-American in his freshman, sophomore, and junior seasons. After winning the gold medal in the 1984 Olympic Games, Tisdale decided to forgo his senior season at Oklahoma and enter the 1985 NBA draft. Over the next twelve years, Tisdale would produce a successful professional career while having playing stints in Indiana, Sacramento, and Phoenix. As Tisdale’s basketball career was winding down, another career was just beginning. Over the next twelve years, Tisdale would revert back to his first love, music. Tisdale’s melodic bass playing style demonstrates a depth of perception that has been compared to the likes of Marcus Miller, Gerald Albright, and others. In his short career, he released 8 eclectic jazz albums.
In early 2007 Tisdale was diagnosed with a rare case of bone cancer. Several operations and two rounds of chemotherapy followed. In order to prevent the cancer from spreading to other parts of his body, Tisdale had part of his right leg amputated in 2008. As an athlete who was once one of the world’s most gifted leapers, Tisdale was now presented with a debilitating condition. Through his faith, music, and positive outlook on life, Tisdale was able to effectively look past his own condition and direct his energy towards helping others through The Wayman Tisdale Foundation. The foundation was established to assist individuals in need of prosthetic limbs who cannot afford them.
Wayman Tisdale passed away on May 15th, 2009 after his two-year battle with cancer. Through it all, Tisdale’s grace, spirit, and faith shined through, even in the darkest of hours. The goal of this program is to tell an astounding story of human courage in the face of physical adversity, to inspire and give hope to its viewers, and to preserve the memory and legacy of Wayman Tisdale.