Question for the old farts

[rmattox]

Someone mentioned the 69-70 team that got beat by Jville. I'll never forget that day....beautiful day. I was with my cousin who'd gone to play in some church league game. I sat outside in his blue, 1963 chevy impala listening to Cawood. I'll never forget Cawood describing how that little turd came up (I thought behind) Issel as Dan was running backward down the floor. When Issel fouled out, I lost hope.

Two years earlier, I'd had my heart broken when osu beat them in the regional finals...first time I cried over a game. However, the Issel loss to Jville truly left a scar. It's still like losing a loved one.

In my mind, that Kentucky set a standard for Ky teams that has never been met. Tons of scoring...seems like they eclipsed 90 more often than not....and without the three point shot. Cawood called Issel "Monster Man Dan". I've not been on this board long and honestly, I'm now more of a Football fan than a bball fan. It's largely because of that game. When they lost, its almost like part of an 11 year old boy's heart died. Bball was never the same for me.

I realize we've had some great players since Issel, Pratt , et al....Lots of great athletes, but for my money, Dan Issel is the greatest player to ever wear the uniform. Not a bad pro either.

 

[TeoJ]

Originally posted by Bert Higginbotha:

Originally posted by 1940gm:
I am 75 and I never head of a duke offer.

I am 68 and I talked to Coach Rupp about it. It happened.

Folks, Coach Rupp was not forced out. State employees had to retire at 70. Coach Rupp did not want to hang up his spurs but State law required it. I can't believe that folks in this thread are saying he was forced out. Damn folks it was the law.

The only controversy was that UK had promised Joe B. Hall the head coaching job and Coach Rupp lashed out at Joe and tried to put Catlett in. That did not work as the UK admin had earlier gone to St. Louis and begged Joe B. to come back.

Agree.......That's why Joe B left he thought Rupp would back Catlett.

 

[1977 Cat]

Great question about where our football program is. Mark Stoops is the first coach hired by Kentucky who understands you have to have talent to win in the SEC. Rick Brooks was capable of coaching kids up and Joker tried to duplicate that but couldn't. For the fist time since Fran Curci I believe we are about o start winning football games!

Originally posted by gamalielkid:
Not many Joe. I had a distant cousin, a member of the Ryherd family, who lived on Alexandria Road in south west part of the county who attended UK. I think Tom Evans from Turkey Neck bend area may have been at UK around that time period as well. We were few and far between. Most of the local kids went to Western and a few to Campbellsville and Lindsey Wilson.

I really enjoyed your days on the football field Joe. I was at Athens when you guys shellacked Georgia 33-0. It was great year to be a Cat fan. Both football and basketball in the top 5. It can be done and I hope to be able to see it again. I believe Coach Stoops may get it done. Would appreciate your input on the state of the football program. I only know what I read here on this board now.

One last thing, I will always remember the Baylor game, as I'm sure you do - you guys must have melted in that heat! Thanks for representing the county and our state. All the county and Tompkinsville are very proud to claim you!

Go Big Blue!

P.S. I was friends with Dr. Bushong's son Bill. Did his brother John play at UK too? I know Bill did. I have a lot of great memories and stories from the 64th district and the old 16th region. Hard to believe it has been so many years ago.

 

[John Henry]

Originally posted by 1977 Cat:

Great question about where our football program is. Mark Stoops is the first coach hired by Kentucky who understands you have to have talent to win in the SEC. Rick Brooks was capable of coaching kids up and Joker tried to duplicate that but couldn't. For the fist time since Fran Curci I believe we are about o start winning football games!

Originally posted by gamalielkid:
Not many Joe. I had a distant cousin, a member of the Ryherd family, who lived on Alexandria Road in south west part of the county who attended UK. I think Tom Evans from Turkey Neck bend area may have been at UK around that time period as well. We were few and far between. Most of the local kids went to Western and a few to Campbellsville and Lindsey Wilson.

I really enjoyed your days on the football field Joe. I was at Athens when you guys shellacked Georgia 33-0. It was great year to be a Cat fan. Both football and basketball in the top 5. It can be done and I hope to be able to see it again. I believe Coach Stoops may get it done. Would appreciate your input on the state of the football program. I only know what I read here on this board now.

One last thing, I will always remember the Baylor game, as I'm sure you do - you guys must have melted in that heat! Thanks for representing the county and our state. All the county and Tompkinsville are very proud to claim you!

Go Big Blue!

P.S. I was friends with Dr. Bushong's son Bill. Did his brother John play at UK too? I know Bill did. I have a lot of great memories and stories from the 64th district and the old 16th region. Hard to believe it has been so many years ago.

You mention Fran Curci. I was about 11 years old when Bear Bryant left for Texas A&M and I remember some of his teams. However, Fran's years were my favorite. His teams were tough and exciting. I want Stoops to bring back that type of excitement and I think he just might do that.

 

[Runt#1969]

OFBT (Old Fart Bumping Thread)

 

[Bert Higginbotha]

Originally posted by CaliUKfan:
Informative thread from our UK elders. Even you Bert

Thanks Cali. I saw your picture on the national board and geeze you are one ugly woman!

 

[C1180]

My recollection on the way it went down is Rupp was actually retired in service his last several years with Joe B. Hall actually running the team and Rupp just a figure head taking all of the credit. Joe B Hall had been promised the job when Rupp retired at 70 to keep him at UK because he was getting offers from a lot of other big time schools. UK kept their promise. Joe B. Hall following the legend didn't start when Rupp retired but started a lot of years earlier. Joe B. was the head coach several years before Rupp retired in every thing except name. UK wasn't hiring something they didn't know in Joe B. Hall. He had already proven to them he was a great coach before they hired him as the coach to follow Rupp.

Rupp was like Peterno the football coach at Penn State . He over stayed his welcome and it had a nasty ending. Rupp was vindictive and tried to make it hard for Hall with a segment of the fan base. In the end Rupp was a bitter sick old man taking pot shots at Joe B. the coach that had propped him up the past several years and caused some harm to Joe B. and UK. IMO a very sad ending for a legend..

 

[WildCatForever69]

Coach Rupp was physically ill ,you are correct.But He was still coaching at the end..Joe B Hall,Boyd Grant and Dickie Parsons were advising him..but make no mistake Coach Rupp was still in Charge..
I remember a game at Tennessee in Stokely Athletic Center..Tom Payne was our Center ..It was his only year on the team as he went hardship to the Atlanta Hawks...We were ahead by 15 points at the half..and we went out to warm up..Payne was taking Free Throws.The UT Football players were behind the basket chanting the N word..Coach Rupp had me summon the 2 referees to the locker room.Burl Crowell and Robert Hartsfield came in and Rupp chastised them for allowing Payne to be heckled.He threatened to forfeit..They Stopped it..Rupp was most certainly in charge..Despite age and poor health..

Originally posted by C1180:

My recollection on the way it went down is Rupp was actually retired in service his last several years with Joe B. Hall actually running the team and Rupp just a figure head taking all of the credit. Joe B Hall had been promised the job when Rupp retired at 70 to keep him at UK because he was getting offers from a lot of other big time schools. UK kept their promise. Joe B. Hall following the legend didn't start when Rupp retired but started a lot of years earlier. Joe B. was the head coach several years before Rupp retired in every thing except name. UK wasn't hiring something they didn't know in Joe B. Hall. He had already proven to them he was a great coach before they hired him as the coach to follow Rupp.

Rupp was like Peterno the football coach at Penn State . He over stayed his welcome and it had a nasty ending. Rupp was vindictive and tried to make it hard for Hall with a segment of the fan base. In the end Rupp was a bitter sick old man taking pot shots at Joe B. the coach that had propped him up the past several years and caused some harm to Joe B. and UK. IMO a very sad ending for a legend..

 

[jratchfo]

Hilarious Bert lol. I should lay off the HGH

Anyway, and in all seriousness has UK, Jon or anyone documented first hand accounts of interactions with Rupp and past teams? Its important we archive these stories for future generations.

 

[AJ Blue]

Originally posted by Bert Higginbotha:

Originally posted by 1940gm:
I am 75 and I never head of a duke offer.

I am 68 and I talked to Coach Rupp about it. It happened.

Folks, Coach Rupp was not forced out. State employees had to retire at 70. Coach Rupp did not want to hang up his spurs but State law required it. I can't believe that folks in this thread are saying he was forced out. Damn folks it was the law.

The only controversy was that UK had promised Joe B. Hall the head coaching job and Coach Rupp lashed out at Joe and tried to put Catlett in. That did not work as the UK admin had earlier gone to St. Louis and begged Joe B. to come back.

That's what I remember too Bert. Joe or UK did not push Rupp out he just had to leave per the law and Joe was the choice of the university. Rupp was close with Gale Catlett and wanted him to have it and that was a controversy as I heard my dad and others talk about it at the time. Catlett ended up going to West Virginia.

I got to speak with Coach Rupp at Memorial as a kid at some open function down there and asked him why he was leaving and he said, "They think the ole coach needs to retire". In that classic Kansas drawel.

 

[Bert Higginbotha]

Originally posted by CaliUKfan:
Hilarious Bert lol. I should lay off the HGH

Anyway, and in all seriousness has UK, Jon or anyone documented first hand accounts of interactions with Rupp and past teams? Its important we archive these stories for future generations.

I don't know.

But I think that part of the vitriol and hate for Rupp is based on the folks that met him only once or twice in a competitive environment. He was blunt to a fault. I mean he would take you aback with his first statement. Folks in the South have a hard time with blunt people as we feel that we are gentile. Coach Rupp was not gentile.

Coach Joe B. Hall introduced me to Coach Rupp the first time I met him and even with Joe B. there he intimidated the hell out of me. Of course I was young and naive, but I watched what I said. Of course Coach Rupp knew that he was my hero so he spoke from a position of strength.

Most folks don't understand that Coach Rupp was one smart old man and the people that walked "The Glory Road" with Rupp loved him.

 

[jratchfo]

Bump

So I finally started research for my works in progress on Rupp, race, and basketball -- a man I believe is the most misunderstood person in American sport history.

Anyway, as you might know, there's at least 13.1 hours of oral interviews from Rupp available for public listening at the Kentuckiana Digital Library. Each interview is accompanied with a full transcript.

I'm 32, am enjoying listening to these stories, and encourage all UK fans to check this out at your convenience. Overall I'm amazed by the sharpness of his memory.

I also am pleasantly encouraged at how extensive UK Special Collections is on this area, further cementing my perspective that we have the resources to shift this biased narrative. Indeed the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History seems to be a gold mine for historians and persons interested on various topics including: athletics, education, and UK among others areas.



This post was edited on 3/8 12:23 AM by CaliUKfan

Extensive Oral Interviews From Rupp

 

[Bert Higginbotha]

Originally posted by CaliUKfan:
Bump

So I finally started research for my works in progress on Rupp, race, and basketball -- a man I believe is the most misunderstood person in American sport history.

Anyway, as you might know, there's at least 13.1 hours of oral interviews from Rupp available for public listening at the Kentuckiana Digital Library. Each interview is accompanied with a full transcript.

I'm 32, am enjoying listening to these stories, and encourage all UK fans to check this out at your convenience. Overall I'm amazed by the sharpness of his memory.

I also am pleasantly encouraged at how extensive UK Special Collections is on this area, further cementing my perspective that we have the resources to shift this biased narrative. Indeed the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History seems to be a gold mine for historians and persons interested on various topics including: athletics, education, and UK among others areas.




This post was edited on 3/8 12:23 AM by CaliUKfan

Cali, after all our clashes, I am starting to like you a lot. But you are still not a good looking woman!

Post Script:

Louie Nunn if from my county. He was the traffic judge when I was in high school. Republican Govs are rare in Kentucky.

 

[Chuckinden]

I'm 60 and consider myself an old fart, but I am proud of it because I have lived as long as I have and in good health.

I don't remember anything about Rupp considering the Duke job. I do remember Dan Issel being one of the defenders for Rupp in a pretty big way. I was in the camp that Rupp needed to move on.

IIRC, Joe B's first game was a struggle and he pulled his jacket off and threw it on the floor in front of the bench. I can't remember if we won or lost, but I remember hearing about that.

 

[jratchfo]

Bert I appreciate that and its fine to disagree on issues because in the end we're all UK fans. I'm a fairly down to earth guy that would have a beer/scotch with any UK fan. Oh and sorry for calling you a mean old bastard or whatever the hell I said.

I'm glad UK has digitized these interviews. Rupp was one hell of a story teller and it seems he had a good sense of humor too. I've just started listening and there's numerous aspects to comment on. Since I'm fairly superstitious when UK plays, it was reassuring to hear his brown suit story and the ways Rupp too was superstitious in that regard.

Other highlights so far were his relationship with and respect for Naismith, comments on gender, money and Kansas girls and people he thought were "cranks" (haha), and the rigorous coaching tactics of Dr. Allen. I do wonder if he knew John McClendon?

Also, that Freeport team with William Moseley went 67-16 in 4 years and won 40/48 in Rupp's last 2 seasons.


This post was edited on 3/9 12:10 AM by CaliUKfan

 

[docholiday51]

Originally posted by Bert Higginbotha:

Originally posted by CaliUKfan:
Bump

So I finally started research for my works in progress on Rupp, race, and basketball -- a man I believe is the most misunderstood person in American sport history.

Anyway, as you might know, there's at least 13.1 hours of oral interviews from Rupp available for public listening at the Kentuckiana Digital Library. Each interview is accompanied with a full transcript.

I'm 32, am enjoying listening to these stories, and encourage all UK fans to check this out at your convenience. Overall I'm amazed by the sharpness of his memory.

I also am pleasantly encouraged at how extensive UK Special Collections is on this area, further cementing my perspective that we have the resources to shift this biased narrative. Indeed the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History seems to be a gold mine for historians and persons interested on various topics including: athletics, education, and UK among others areas.





This post was edited on 3/8 12:23 AM by CaliUKfan

Cali, after all our clashes, I am starting to like you a lot. But you are still not a good looking woman!

Post Script:

Louie Nunn if from my county. He was the traffic judge when I was in high school. Republican Govs are rare in Kentucky.

Another Barren County poster, I feel right at home.Louie Nunn gave me a ride once when I ran out of gas on N Jackson.He didn't have to stop but he was nice enough to do so.

 

[Bert Higginbotha]

Originally posted by docholiday51:

Another Barren County poster, I feel right at home.Louie Nunn gave me a ride once when I ran out of gas on N Jackson.He didn't have to stop but he was nice enough to do so.

Good area to be raised. When I retired I got within three miles of Barren County.