Bill Walton—UCLA legend, basketball icon, and ultimate Deadhead—lived at the intersection of fast breaks and free-flowing jams. As he led the Bruins to back-to-back championships, he was just as tuned into Jerry Garcia’s solos as his own skyhook. UCLA and the Grateful Dead weren’t just passions—they were a way of life. He skipped class for Dead shows, blasted their music from his dorm, and embraced their improvisational, team-first spirit—just like John Wooden’s philosophy of flow and selfless play.
Walton didn’t just love the Dead; he embodied them. He saw over 1,000 shows, traveled to Egypt for their 1978 Pyramids concert, and even brought his Celtics teammates into the fold. When Larry Bird showed up at a show, Jerry Garcia welcomed him with, “Larry, this is what we do.”
Walton was the Dead’s ethos in motion—pushing boundaries, living in the moment, and building something bigger than himself. The Class Trip x UCLA Bill Walton Tribute Collection celebrates his legacy, with a portion of proceeds supporting LA Fire Recovery Efforts—continuing his spirit of joy, connection, and giving back.
