El Paso Times · Mar 21, 2023
Bloomquist: Willie Cager's smile brightened Haskins Center
Willie Cager loved UTEP, he loved El Paso, he loved life.
The Haskins Center was always a happier place with Cager parked on his scooter behind the baseline, cheering on whichever Miner team was in town. Unfortunately that didn't happen as much this season, the final of Cager's remarkable life, as his health declined.
The 81-year-old battled health problems his entire life, which affected his playing time on the 1966 national championship team and contributed to him not having the best shot at an NBA career.