UCLA x Grateful Dead Bill Walton Sueded Tee

Introducing the Bill Walton Tribute Collection benefitting LA Wildfire Recovery - officially licensed by UCLA and Grateful Dead.

Bill Walton, UCLA legend, basketball icon, and the ultimate Deadhead, lived at the intersection of fast breaks and free-flowing jams. While leading the Bruins to back-to-back national championships under John Wooden, Walton was just as dialed into Jerry Garcia’s guitar solos as he was to his own skyhook. UCLA and the Grateful Dead weren’t just two of his passions—they were intertwined. He famously skipped class to catch Dead shows, blasting their music from his dorm, and drawing inspiration from their improvisational, team-first approach to fuel his own game. The Dead’s philosophy—constant evolution, unshakable chemistry, and joy in the journey—mirrored Wooden’s flow, teamwork, and playing the right way.

Walton didn’t just love the Dead; he lived and breathed them, attending over 1,000 shows and developing a close relationship with the band. Bill traveled to Egypt in 1978 to see their legendary Pyramids concert, wrote liner notes for their live albums, and even introduced his Boston Celtics teammates to the magic of a Dead show—where Jerry Garcia, spotting Larry Bird in the crowd, simply told him, “Larry, this is what we do.”

In many ways, Walton embodied what the Dead stood for: pushing boundaries, embracing the moment, and building something bigger than yourself. Whether dancing, arms in the air, at a show or leading a fast break at Pauley Pavilion, he was proof that sports, music, and a love for the journey could all exist in perfect harmony.

The official Grateful Dead x UCLA Bill Walton Tribute Collection by Class Trip is our way of celebrating the legend himself, with all net proceeds going to support the LA Fire Recovery Efforts, continuing his legacy of joy, connection, and giving back.

UCLA x Grateful Dead Bill Walton Tribute tees are printed on brushed 20 singles heavyweight washed cotton tees. Made exclusively for Class Trip. Vintage feel. Limited Run. 

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Once your order is placed, we are able to make changes to your address or shipping information, however we are unable to make changes to products in your order. Free ground shipping on all orders over $100.