This section of the newsletter will be where I list stories and interviews with the players I've met.  If you have an Interesting story or interview you would like for me to post, please send me an email with the details and I'll be happy to post them.

Over the past year I’ve been in contact with many former players either through email, letters, or in person.  I have been fortunate to be able to spend so much time with Bill Smith.  Bill and I have become close friends and he shares stories with me all the time.  Bill was a member of the 58’ NCAA championship team.  A very interesting thing about Bill is that not too many people know that he was on the championship team even though his face can be seen in the all the team photos.  This is because the University of Kentucky has had him listed for years as another former Wildcat, Dick Howe.  This error occurred when after the championship game the University wanted a team photo taken with the trophy.  They called the players together and tossed them each a jersey.  Some players were lucky enough to get the right number, Bill was not one of the lucky ones, he was given #20 to wear for the picture.  Dick Howe had worn #20 the entire year, however he usually did not travel with the team and this is why he does not appear in the photo.  Originally when the photo was released it may have had the correct name applied to it but over the years somehow Bill has become Dick Howe.  In 1995 Bill’s wife Shirley wrote the University to let them know of the error and nowadays you may see the correct name but you may want to go back and look through your collection of photos or programs because you may have an item that Bill could sign for you.  We were also able to determine that Bill had worn #5 on the road.  He has this jersey packed away and couldn’t remember that he had worn it.  Bill can be seen in different photos wearing #20, #00, #88 and #5.

Earl Adkins

A.Smith #50

#40

Crigler #32

Bill Smith

#20#20

Ed Beck #34

P.Johnson

#14

Mills #54

B.R. Cassidy

#12

J. Cox #24

L. Collinsworth

#10

Hatton #52

H. Ross

#4

Repsonses recieved from letters where I asked for a favorite memory or story: From Gayle Rose:  "One of my favorite memories was when Adolph called me a shetland pony in a stud horse parade". From George Critz:  "After practice one day I saw coach Lancaster in the hallway..he said "Hi George"...I said "Hi Harry"....in the 60's you didn't call elders by their first name especially Coach Rupp or Lancaster.  I was very tired and it just came out of my mouth.  If I could have I would have jumped into a crack in the floor.  Coach Lancaster must have realized I was tired as I'm still alive today. From Al Cummins: During practice in 1947 our 2nd team consisting of Bob Brannum, Jim Jordan, Jim Line, Dale Barnstable, and myself was whipping the 1st team of Groza, Barker, Beard, Rollins and Wah Jones. Coach Rupp blew the whistle and substituted every 2nd string player, except me,  with the 3rd string players and told Humzey Yessin who was acting as referee to wait until the 1st team regained the lead and then he would call the end of practice. From Bob Burrow:  We were having a photo session one day.  Coach Rupp decided to end the session so he told everyone in a very determined tone of voice that the picture taking session was over.  One reporter stepped up and said "but coach, we need one more picture".  Rupp said "NO!"  The reporter said "but we need one of you coach".   Rupp said "well I guess we have time for one more".