Early Wildcat memories

by String Music on Jan 22, 2008 7:10 PM EST Comment 5 comments

I was thinking about how many great memories I have of UK basketball.I guess going through a rough season and being a little older now has me reflecting on some of the so called good times.I started thinking back to when I was first introduced to UK basketball by my dad,because he was a big Cat fan and always wore his shirts,caps,etc.He was always talking about this guy or that guy and how good he was and that UK wanted him. Well,hearing him talk and being about 5 or 6 at the time,I just knew that whoever he was talking about at the time HAD to be great AND they HAD to be coming here to play,just because Kentucky wanted them.haha It wasn`t long after that when I discovered the Kentucky Colonels of the old ABA and to say the least at that age I was a little confused trying to separate the two.
I remember going with my Dad to play basketball in a rented gym with some of his friends and one of them brought a red,white and blue ball that I fell in love with and played with all night.I remember that night was the first time that I hit a shot on a ten foot goal.Dad was really excited that his boy was interesed in basketball and also that he wasn`t half bad.He was showering me with praise along with his friends and thats when I stopped and ask them..."If I`m good enough,do you think I could play for UK after I play for the pro`s?" Yep, I was a little confused, I guess because I heard so much about the Cats that I just thought that they had to be better than the pro`s.

I`d be interested to hear any early Wildcat memories that any of you would feel comfortable sharing.

PS sorry for any typo`s and grammar issues,along with spelling mistakes

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nice post

I always enjoy reading stuff like this. As a girl, my first feelings about the Wildcat team are a little different than a boy's would be--I couldn't daydream about playing for the Cats, obviously--not only am I a girl, but I'm a super-girly girl (minus the basketball love, I guess) and not at all athletically inclined. All that running and sweating and not-cute outfits...not for me. So I adored the players as boy-crazy little Kentucky girls will--I had massive crushes on them. Oh yes, Rex Chapman and I were going to be very happy together... : )

UK basketball was just part of the fabric of my childhood, as it was for most of us. It was something I bonded with my dad over, something that was talked about at the dinner table as a matter of course. I just loved basketball in general, as my high school's program was really strong too. I was a bit of a late convert as far as being a die-hard, emotionally-invested totally unreasonable UK fan, probably because the team was mired in probation and general yuckiness as I got to the right age. Please forgive my bandwagon-ness, as I was just a kid and did not know better! As was probably the case with many people, the 92 Duke game was really the cincher for me, and that 93 team with Mashburn starring was the first team that I really followed with a vengance. I still really, really adore that particular team to this day, and have not really gotten over that loss in the Final Four to Michigan. Stupid Fab Five.

Anyway, thanks for sharing!

by blue kentucky girl on Jan 24, 2008 12:17 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Memories

What a great post, blue kentucky girl.

I have many wonderful memories of following UK basketball and football. I have spent a lot of time with family at ballgames. It's the place everyone has a common goal, and want. A win.

For me, some of my earliest memories were of listening to Cawood. I loved his voice, and wanted to be him. He described the action in a way I have never heard, before or since. The excitement level in his voice perfectly matched the action and game situation. It's very hard to articulate.

He never was a homer, ever. He called the game with a love for Kentucky Basketball in his heart, but his professionalism and honesty would never allow him to be a homer.

I love Tom Leach, always have, but I miss Cawood.

by Ken Howlett on Jan 24, 2008 2:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Cats' Are Runnin' (Cawood's Victory Cigar)

When UK had a game well in hand (sure W) and were pulling away, Cawood would say The Cats Are Runnin's to let us (his radio audience) know that UK would get the W that day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNk8lc5Slak Must see this!

by FortyYearCatFan on Jan 27, 2008 2:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

First insight into UK basketball......

came when visiting family down in the HILLS of Kentucky. My great grandmother was from a very small town (if you can call it that) called Huddy. She and my uncle, who took care of her in the later stages of life were huge Wildcat fans. They lived and died the Cats (Rupp was a God) and talked about all the glories of UK teams in the past...stories of the Runts, the Fiddlin Five, and all the huge names that played over the years. Man there are times it seems like just yesterday they were telling stories about Hagan, Dampier, Issel, or countless others. Needless to say I was hooked. They always talked with such passion about THEIR team, it's truely a great memory to have of them.

Unfortunately they both passed several years back and I've never found the time to make it back down to that little corner of the world. I do however have one keepsake that is the greatest treasure of all my UK parafinalia adorning the walls of my den. In their dining room they kept a god-knows how old UK pennant hanging on the wall for as long as I could remember. This now hangs as the centerpiece of my own little shrine to UK.

by wldcatsfreak on Jan 24, 2008 11:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Rupps Runts

First UK team I followed. My neighbor was a UK freshman student that year - he kept me up-2-date. Strongest memory is the Vandy game where UK kicked their (rear) by 15 points. Vandy was Top 5 team led by Clyde Lee.

Next memory is seeing Dan Issel, Mike Casey, Mike Pratt, et al play as freshmen (Kittens) vs UC freshman team. Issel tipped one in from the FT line with his LH that day. Met him years later, still remembered it.

Next memory is Slaughterhouse 5 (1975 team). My sister dated one of them (J Holland). Got to play H-O-R-S-E with him in backyard. Hint: I lost.

Lots more memories. None better than being in the house when UK rallied to beat Duke to make FF in 1998.

Best UK game I ever saw? Toss-up = 75 UK vs IU in NCAA or that 98 game vs Duke.

by FortyYearCatFan on Jan 27, 2008 2:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs