August 11, 1986 Testimony at the trial of Brian Tribble, right, revealed repeated drug use by Len Bias and some of his teammates. Washington Post story, August 11, 1986 Much of the content presented in the Timelines was produced in 2022 by Enzo Alvarenga, a University of Maryland Journalism student at the time. Enzo died in an accident while riding a bicycle when he was working as a volunteer on the project. The honor his memory, the University of Maryland Philip Merrill Co

August 12, 1986 John Johnson, shown above during an interview at Bentley's Restaurant in 2011, and below as a sophomore at Maryland during the 1986-87 season. He was among Maryland players who testified to a grand jury. As appeared in the Washington Post, August 12, 1986 Much of the content presented in the Timelines was produced in 2022 by Enzo Alvarenga, a University of Maryland Journalism student at the time. Enzo died in an accident while riding a bicycle when he was

July 31, 1986 David Gregg Terry Long Much of the content presented in the Timelines was produced in 2022 by Enzo Alvarenga, a University of Maryland Journalism student at the time. Enzo died in an accident while riding a bicycle when he was working as a volunteer on the project. The honor his memory, the University of Maryland Philip Merrill Collefge of Journalism has established the Enzo Bibes Alvarenga Endowed Scholarship in Journalism. For more information and to support

July 29, 1986 Tribble Turns Himself In Brian Tribble, one of three others in the room with Len Bias when he died, is the only one who faced charges. Picture as it appeared in the Washington Post. Derrick Lewis, a temmate of Len Bias, reflects on his memories of Brian Tribble. Much of the content presented in the Timelines was produced in 2022 by Enzo Alvarenga, a University of Maryland Journalism student at the time. Enzo died in an acci

July 26, 1986 Grand Jury Indicts Three in Bias Case Two teammates were among those charged with crimes related to the death of Len Bias. Prosecutor Jeffrey Harding explains discussions at the trial of Brian Tribble that addresses who bought the cocaine used the night Len Bias died. Some content is excerpted from the book Born Ready: the Mixed Legacy of Len Bias Listen to more about Len's legacy in the narrative podcast series, Len Bias: A Mixed Legacy

July 24, 1986 Drug Testing Changes Planned at Maryland Maryland athletics proposed a plan that would change the way its athletes are tested for drug use. One change would involve each athletes getting tested three times year. Former Maryland gymnastics coach Bob Nelligan talks about how Maryland's new drug program worked within athletics. Some content is excerpted from the book Born Ready: the Mixed Legacy of Len Bias Listen to more about Len's legacy in the narrative podcas

July 9, 1986 Massenburg Suspended Tony Massenburg, a Maryland freshman during the 1985-86 season, was determined to have cheated on a test. He disputed the decision, claiming it was a way for Maryland to show it was cleaning up the basketbal program following the death of Bias. Tony Massenburg, right, spent 15 seasons in the NBA after playing four seasons at Maryland. Some content is excerpted from the book Born Ready: the Mixed Legacy of Len Bias Listen to more about Len'

July 8, 1986 University Officials Testify to a Grand Jury A trio of University of Maryland officials testifies to a grandy jury investigating the death of Len Bias. Prosecutor Jeffrey Harding talks about grand jury testimony. Some content is excerpted from the book Born Ready: the Mixed Legacy of Len Bias Listen to more about Len's legacy in the narrative podcast series, Len Bias: A Mixed Legacy

July 3, 1986 A Son is Born Michael Leonard Bias was born on July 3. He and his mother, Tina Maynard, claim Michael is the only known son of Len Bias. Michael Bias shown in a picture while in high school. Some content is excerpted from the book Born Ready: the Mixed Legacy of Len Bias Listen to more about Len's legacy in the narrative podcast series, Len Bias: A Mixed Legacy

July 1, 1986 Maryland Reviews Drug Abuse and Academic Performance The University of Maryland establishes panels to review drug use and academic performance within athletics. Click on the image to read an excert from the book Born Ready - the Mixed Legacy of Len Bias. Former Terps assistant athletic director Sue Tyler reflects on the environment in athletics after the death of Len Bias. Former Baltimore Evening Sun reporter Molly Glassman offers insight into why Maryland ath

Some content is excerpted from the book Born Ready: the Mixed Legacy of Len Bias Listen to more about Len's legacy in the narrative podcast series, Len Bias: A Mixed Legacy June 25, 1986 Cause of Death An ABC News Report Explains the Cause of Len Bias's Death.

June 23, 1986 Funeral Service Longtime Maryland broadcaster Johnny Holliday talks about singing at Len Bias's memorial service. Excerpted from the book, Born Ready: the Mixed Legacy of Len Bias And listen to more about Len's legacy in the narrative podcast series, Len Bias: A Mixed Legacy

"Len Bias Needs Help...." The final hours of Len Bias's life took a tragic turn from revelry to death. Listen to the story. It took place through much of the early morning of June 19, 1986. Len Bias and three friends had been celebrating Len's selection by the Boston Celtics in the NBA draft since shortly after midnight. Part of that celebration in a University of Maryland dorm room included snorting cocaine. Brian Tribble, right, was among those with Len Bias when he suffere

"We're Going to Celebrate" Len Bia's Final Hours, Part 1 Listen to the story. The following description of how Len Bias’s last night evolved is based on testimony by Terry Long at the trial of Brian Tribble, according to reports, and from portions of the documentary Without Bias. Bias returned to his dormitory suite at Washington Hall after 10:30 p.m. on June 18 with a bag full of Reebok shoes and Boston Celtic jerseys. David Gregg, a freshman basketball player, and Maryland

Absent Hero Some Had Hoped to Give Len Bias a Hero's Homecoming Listen to the story. On the evening of June 18, 1986, Brian Waller and Johnnie Walker joined some of the other regulars for their weekly pickup game on adult night at The Rec....also know as the Columbia Park Recreation Center. That's where years before Walker taught Waller and Len Bias the basics of basketball as teenagers. It was the perfect place for the three to celebrate the choice of Bias as the No. 2 overa

Recruited by Reebok Reebok Wanted to Make Len Bias its Marquee Athlete Listen to the story. In the late morning of June 18, 1986, Joanne Borzakian met Len Bias at Logan Airport in Boston. She then escorted Bias to Reebok’s headquarters in nearby Avon after his short flight from New York. Beginning at about noon, Bias met with Borzakian and other members of the Reebok staff along with his father, James, and his agent, Lee Fentress of Advantage International. They discussed way

"He's Going to be a Star Someday" The Celtics Were Ecstatic to Pick Bias in the 1986 NBA Draft Listen to the story. Len Bias has just been drafted number two by the Boston Cetics in the 1986 NBA draft. Soon after he was asked in a television interview why he wanted to play for the Celtics. “They’re a good team and they got, uh, good, uh, supporting players,” he said sheepishly. “I can go up there and sit on the bench and whether I go in and play or not, and I learn a lot from

Money to Fly Days Before the Draft, Len Bias Worked for "Airport Money" Listen to the story. Shortly before the NBA draft, Len Bias stopped by to say hello to John Brown, the owner of Bentley's Restaurant in College Park, and a friend. The two enjoyed a lunch together. After the meal, Bias asked to borrow money. Brown was taken aback. Soon after his eligibility had expired in late March, Bias had secured a loan of about $20,000 from a local bank where his mother, Lonise, work

Enjoying the Fringe Benefits of Stardom Len Bias received gifts from fans, and he was often generous in return. Listen to the story. According to Johnnie Walker, Len's Bias' mentor, Len received money and gifts from fans. He recalled the time one summer when Bias called someone on the phone saying he needed money. “He’d throw out a random number,” says Walker. “I sat in the car while he talked to the guy, who gave him all crisp $100 bills. We would go from there to spend m

The Poetic Artistry of Basketball Stanley Plumly, a Maryland Poet Laureate, Writes About the Time Len Bias Met Celebrated Poet Gwendolyn Brooks Listen to the story. It was, as I recall, a 7 o’clock reading. The structure of the event called for me to introduce Gwendolyn Brooks, a Pulitzer Prize winning poet. Once I’d finished, I would enter from stage right to come to the podium. For a moment, Brooks and I were standing there together, when, suddenly, from the opposite side o