Mr Wildcat — One Shining Moment

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Mr Bill Keightley aka Mister Wildcat honored this year in CBS’s National Championship One Shining Moment Video Montage.

Later Monday evening, learning that long-time Kentucky equipment manager Bill Keightley had passed away left this reporter speechless.

Mr. Wildcat worked 48 years on the sidelines for the University of Kentucky, starting with Adolph Rupp and most recently working with Billy Gillispie. Keightley was a staple of the UK program and touched so many fans across the Bluegrass state, evident in the 3,000 plus attendants of his public memorial Thursday evening.

Being left speechless is a rarity for this reporter for those of you who know me.

As I looked at the lives of both men, the quality that stands out the most is loyalty.

I guess the important thing to do is follow my dad’s advice. Yikes, did I really just say that? But, seriously though, father knows best and he told me to love what you do and it won’t feel like work.

Nuxhall and Keightley followed those words until they left this world. And while it is sad to think that two legends in their own rights are gone, hopefully we can learn from the lives they led.

Jenny Elder Richmond Register

The Keightley family requests memorial donations be made to:

The Bill Keightley “Mr. Wildcat” Basketball Managers Scholarship Fund
UK Office of Development
100 Sturgill Development Buildings
Lexington, KY 40506-0015.

Explore posts in the same categories: Sports, UK Basketball, culture

Tags: Bill Keightley, Kentucky, Mister Wildcat, NCAA Basketball, One Shining Moment, UK Basketball

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