1978 National Championship Team donating shoes to Eastern Kentucky basketball team
We’ve shared plenty of heartwarming stories this week about Kentuckians giving back to those impacted by the floods in the eastern part of the state. Here’s another one.
On this morning’s radio show, Matt Jones shared that the Fleming-Neon Middle School girls basketball team was in need of practice shoes because the flood destroyed theirs and many families could not afford to replace them. Immediately, some of the Big Blue Nation’s most beloved members stepped up to help. Jack “Goose” Givens contacted Matt and said that he and the 1978 National Championship team will purchase new shoes for the team.
Givens is one of five Kentucky natives on the 1977-78 roster, along with James Lee (Lexington), Fred Cowan (Sturgis), Dwane Casey (Morganfield), and Tim Stephens (Revelo). Kyle Macy, Mike Phillips, Rick Robey, and Jay Shidler were also on the squad that went 30-2 and beat Duke in the national championship game. Givens scored 41 points in that game to lead the Cats to their first title in 20 years. He now works for the UK Sports Network and will call next week’s games in the Bahamas alongside Tom Leach, filling the seat of the late, great Mike Pratt. Something tells me Pratt would be very proud of Goose and his fellow former Cats right now.
How to give back to Eastern Kentucky
This morning, Herald-Leader photographer Ryan C. Hermens shared new footage of the damage in Fleming-Neon, one of many towns nearly destroyed by last week’s floods.
Want to follow Goose’s lead? There are many ways to give back to Eastern Kentucky. KSR and the Kentucky Chamber Foundation are partnering to build a relief fund to help those impacted by the floods rebuild. With the money raised in this fund, our two groups will be working with local communities, local chambers, as well as our state and local elected officials to ensure the needs of these areas are met in the wake of tragedy. You can donate online or via check. Checks should be made out to Kentucky Chamber Foundation and mailed to 464 Chenault Rd. Frankfort, KY 40601 with ATTN to the Flood Relief Fund.
Additionally, KSR is hosting a volunteer day in Eastern Kentucky tomorrow afternoon. If you’d like to participate, meet at the Knott County Sportsplex (450 Kenny Champion Loop #8765, Leburn, KY 41831) at noon. We will not be hosting a live show as to not be a distraction, but we encourage you to join us as we do what we can to help. Stay tuned to @KySportsRadio on Twitter in case the location changes.
UPDATE: The location of the KSR Volunteer Day has moved. We will now be at Emmalena Elementary School.
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