Adolph Rupp — Individual Offense Part II
Thanks to Vic and Rick, I can tell you with some certainty that the team featured on this film are the guys from the 56-58 Seasons. Obviously, that would include the ‘58 Championship team. The players that are probably featured in the practices and game excerpts are probably among the following:
#24 Johnny Cox
#10 Gerry Calvert
#52 Vernon Hatton
#32 John Crigler
#34 Ed Beck
#50 Adrian Smith
#55 Ray Mills
#70 John Brewer
#12 Billy Ray Cassady
#40 Earl Adkins
#20 Dick Howe
#10 Lincoln Collinsworth
#88 Bill Smith
#33 Harold Ross
#66 John Hardwick
#50 Jay Bayless
#14 Phil Johnson
Back in the good old days of WildcatFaithful.com, I had the pleasure of meeting Vernon Hatton once at an 2001 Lexington event arranged by the late gentleman Mel McCane. Mr. Hatton is a boisterous gentleman who loves to tell stories about his years with Coach Rupp. We, at the event, were reveled with stories of practices and Coach Rupp’s infamously acerbic wit which he leveled liberally at his athletes. Joe B. Hall as well as the incomparable Wallace “Wah Wah” Jones also attended that event and spoke to the attendees. It must have been special to have been a part of those teams and to be witness to and part of the history of Big Blue Basketball and the Rupp Era. I certainly felt privileged to be able to live vicariously for a brief moment through the voices of men who played, strained and excelled under the leadership and guidance of Adolph Rupp.
The history of the Big Blue is incredible.
Enjoy the part II.
As always, you are welcome to poke around and view the rest of the blog.
Thanks, Dave
Tags: Adolph Rupp, Coke, Joe B. Hall, Kentucky Basketball. Coca Cola, Vernon Hatton, Wah Wah Jones
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February 1, 2008 at 3:42 am
[...] to Dave again…He’s added Part II of the Adolph Rupp individual offense [...]
February 1, 2008 at 4:38 am
Much appreciated, Dave. Thanks for everything you put into acquiring the films and then converting them into the right format for posting. Great job…
February 1, 2008 at 5:01 am
It’s all a pleasure. I love Kentucky Ball and Coach Rupp is one of my heroes. I love sharing. This blog is awesome for me. I hope it’s a nice entertainment for others as well. And if I can inform Americans about life outside of our borders, it is my privilege to do so. I’ll stop there before I start sounding like Bono. lol
February 1, 2008 at 6:38 am
I enjoy the videos about places you’ve been, too. There’s one I’ve yet to see. Plan to do that tonight.
February 1, 2008 at 6:44 am
I’ve got tons more video. Just not enough time to go through it all. I wish I had filmed China. That place was amazing. I’ll have plenty of vid of India, though. I can’t wait to see the Taj Mahal, Ganges and Red Fort.
February 1, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Stay on topic, DAWG!! Good story about Mel. I remember sitting with Mel and Wah Wah at Two Keys listening to great stories about Rupp and Bear Bryant. Wah Wah seemed to enjoy telling the stories as much as we enjoyed hearing them. Kyle and Derek sit there with us taking in all of it…..I hope they always remember and appreciate that night. Really makes me miss Mel even more.