In 1972, Reggie Warford was a sinewy, lightning-fast, sharp-shooting
leftie who was in high demand by such renowned coaches as Bobby Knight
at Indiana and Digger Phelps at Notre Drame. When the prolific player
was signed by Joe B. Hall at the University Kentucky, he would
ultimately become an inspirational scoring force on the team and the
first Black basketball player to graduate from the
university—instrumental in helping to break the color barriers for
generations of students who followed. Scott Brown tells the remarkable
story of this trailblazing player and the barriers he broke at
Kentucky. Despite a heart condition and health issues that plagued him
and eventually claimed his life, his body and spirit exuded a
commitment to the game he loved: basketball.
From growing up during the Civil Rights era, relating his courage in
remaining seated during the singing of "My Old Kentucky Home" (a
protest that led to the eventual rewrite of the lyrics), recollections
of his seminal games, including the contest against Indiana during
which Bobby Knight hit Joe B. Hall, and the Final Four match against
UCLA, this is a wide-ranging look at Warford's life and career. The
sports legend speaks honestly regarding his college coaching career
that was torpedoed by agendas and dubious claims, his life experiences
with Muhammad Ali, Larry Bird, and the Harlem Globetrotters, to
working with youth at a juvenile detention center and winning a libel
suit before the US Supreme Court.
Throughout the highs and lows of his life, Warford's mantra "it was
all worth it" exudes hope, optimism, and an unwavering determination.
More than just a biography, this is an incredible story of
inspiration, strength, resilience, and resolve—a testament to a
world-class athlete, coach, teacher, mentor, and basketball legend.
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Integrating Basketball at the University of Kentucky
Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9781985901087
Publisert
2024
Utgiver
Vendor
The University Press of Kentucky
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter