He was very loyal to the Jazz as a fan, but more than that, he was a friend to the players and everybody on the coaching staff. – Richard Smith, on Wally Price
Ever since EnergySolutions Arena opened back in 1991, Wally Price was a fixture at almost every Jazz game.
Price, who died earlier this week at the age of 99, is well-remembered by hundreds of people who used to see him on a regular basis at his post by the security entrance on the south side of the arena. The bald man with the wire-rimmed glasses was known for his friendly demeanor, and everyone in the Jazz organization knew and loved him.
Price was a mailman before retiring. In 1983 he took a job as an usher at the old Salt Palace and took his post at the security entrance when EnergySolutions Arena opened in 1991. He rarely missed a game over the next two decades.
Richard Smith, the Jazz's executive director of basketball operations, has been with the organization for 20 years and knew Price as well as anyone.
“He was very loyal to the Jazz as a fan, but more than that, he was a friend to the players and everybody on the coaching staff,’’ Smith said. “In recent years, he told me the thing that kept him going was that, 'This Saturday, the Jazz would be playing.' He was always looking forward to the next game.
“Even recently he would come in with his walker and go all the way down the hallway from the parking lot to the locker room, go in and see the coaches and the players and say hello. That meant the world to him.’’
Smith remembers his 90th birthday party in the summer of 2005 when Jerry Sloan, Frank Layden and others were there to honor him. He said everyone loved Price.
“I texted John Stockton the other day and he got right back to me and said, ‘Wally was the best. We’re going to miss him.’ Jeff Hornacek said the same thing. He was a super guy," Smith said.
None of the veteran players who knew him best are still around, but even the current Jazz players were able to get to know him.
“Seeing him do his little dance out there on the court always put a smile on your face,’’ said forward Gordon Hayward. “I remember him giving you a little handshake before the games in the locker room. He would be in the locker room before the games. You knew Wally — he’d always say ‘good luck.’ He was a good guy to have around.’’