Joe B. Hall Statue Unveiled

by:Corey Nichols09/18/12

Photo via @UKAthleticsNews

Just a few minutes ago, University of Kentucky officials unveiled the newest addition to campus: a statue of former men’s basketball head coach Joe B. Hall, located just outside the new Wildcat Coal Lodge.

Possibly the only man that could have taken over for Adolph Rupp when he stepped down in the early 70s, Hall came in and successfully manned the reins of the most scrutinized college basketball team for almost a decade and a half.  During that time, he won a National Championship, was named National Coach of the Year, and amassed a total record of 297-100.  He provided plenty of memories apart from just those, though, from his “friendly” rivalry with Bobby Knight (including the impressive upset in 1975), to the eight regular-season SEC championships, to the championship he helped earn as a member of the varsity squad in 1949, becoming only the third man ever to win championships as both a player and a coach.

Even now, long after retiring from the coaching world, he maintains a radio talk show with former University of Louisville head coach Denny Crum, showing that he’s just like the rest of us: he can’t get enough hoops talk.  Born in Cynthiana, Hall has shown himself to be as big a part of the school, and the state, as anyone possibly could be.

Congratulations, Coach.  Hopefully this shows just a small part of how proud we are.

Joe, Joe, and John. Via @CoachCalDotCom

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