Bill Keightley
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William (Bill) Bond Keightley (December 17, 1926 – March 31, 2008) was the equipment manager for the University of Kentucky men's basketball team, a position he held for 48 years.[1] Known affectionately to most as "Mr. Wildcat," players referred to him as "Mr. Bill" or "Big Smooth."[1]
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[edit] Early life and career
Keightley was an All-State center for now-defunct Kavanaugh High School in Lawrenceburg.[2][1] He graduated in 1944.[3] He enlisted with the United States Marine Corps, and served in World War II.[4]
Keightly was working as a postal carrier in 1962 when fellow postal employee George Hukle asked him to become his assistant at his other job -- equipment manager for the University of Kentucky basketball team.[4] Keightley accepted the position; ten years later, he succeeded Hukle as equipment manager.[3] He held the post during the tenures of coaches Adolph Rupp, Joe B. Hall, Eddie Sutton, Rick Pitino, Tubby Smith, and Billy Gillispie.
[edit] Honors and awards
- Keightley was on three NCAA Championship teams (1978, 1996, 1998) with the Wildcats. He wore one championship ring on each hand and kept the third ring in his pocket.
- In 1997, the university retired a jersey in honor of Keightley. He and broadcaster Cawood Ledford are the only two people who did not play for or coach the Wildcats that have received such an honor.[1]
- In 2001, Keightley was featured on special edition bottles of Maker's Mark bourbon.[5]
- In 2002, the university presented the first Bill Keightley Award. The award is given to "the individual who understands and exemplifies the pride, respect and the positive attributes associated with being a part of the Kentucky basketball program."[6]
- In 2005, he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the university's annual "Catspy" awards.[7]
- On May 2, 2007, Keightley was inducted into the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame.[8]
[edit] Family
Keightley was married to Hazel (Robinson) Keightley. The couple had one daughter, Karen, who currently works at the university's veterinary science center. Keightley was an avid fan of the Cincinnati Reds.[4]
[edit] Death
Keightley died on March 31, 2008 after suffering a fall from a bus on his way to the season opening Cincinnati Reds baseball game versus the Arizona Diamondbacks. The cause of death was internal bleeding caused by a previously undiagnosed tumor on his spine. His memorial service was attended by many prominent basketball coaches, including Billy Gillispie, Rick Pitino, Billy Donovan, Rick Stansbury, and former Kentucky player John Pelphrey. Many other former Kentucky basketball players attended as well. Also in attendance was fmr. Louisville Cardinal player Ellis Myles. The Wildcats not only will not hire a new equipment manager for the 2009 season, but will in fact leave Keightley's chair on the Kentucky bench empty for the season in his honor.
[edit] References
- 2001-02 Kentucky Wildcats (PDF). UKAthletics.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
- Crawford, Bryan. "The time is right. The man is ready. Coach Keightley!", Louisville Courier-Journal, 2007-04-06.
- Crawford, Eric. "'Mr. Bill' still well-equipped", The Enquirer, 2007-12-23. Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
- Division of Athletic Training, Alumni News (PDF). University of Kentucky (May 2005). Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
- Faris, Steve. "How Dry Am I?", Ace Weekly, 2002-11-21. Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
- Secretariat, Tim Couch & Kenny Walker To Kentucky Athletic HOF. HallofFameMagazine.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
- Men's Basketball Equipment Manager Bill Keightley. UKAthletics.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
- Story, Mark. "Keightley has own fan base, deservedly", Lexington Herald-Leader, 2007-05-01.
