Bill Keightley
Encyclopedia
William 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.http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/K/KY_OBIT_KEIGHTLEY_KYOL-?SITE=KYLOU&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT Known affectionately to most as "Mr. Wildcat," players referred to him as "Mr. Bill" or "Big Smooth."
for now-defunct Kavanaugh High School in Lawrenceburg. He graduated in 1944. He enlisted with the United States Marine Corps
, and served in World War II
.
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. Keightley accepted the position; ten years later, he succeeded Hukle as equipment manager. He held the post during the tenures of coaches Adolph Rupp
, Joe B. Hall
, Eddie Sutton
, Rick Pitino
, Tubby Smith
, and Billy Gillispie
.
center, and is now employed with the athletic department. Keightley was an avid fan of the 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 John Pelphrey
(also a former Kentucky player). Many other former Kentucky basketball players attended as well, including former Louisville Cardinal player Ellis Myles. The Wildcats did not hire a new equipment manager for the 2009 season and in fact left his chair on the bench empty for the season. As an additional tribute, the first "K" in "KENTUCKY" on the players jerseys for the 2009 season was black outlined.
Equipment manager
An equipment manager is a person who is in charge of a sports team's equipment. In professional and Collegiate sports, this is usually a full-time job....
for the University of Kentucky men's basketball team
Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball
The Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team, representing the University of Kentucky, is the winningest in the history of college basketball, both in all-time wins and all-time winning percentage. Kentucky's all-time record currently stands at 2058–647...
, a position he held for 48 years.http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/K/KY_OBIT_KEIGHTLEY_KYOL-?SITE=KYLOU&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT Known affectionately to most as "Mr. Wildcat," players referred to him as "Mr. Bill" or "Big Smooth."
Early life and career
Keightley was an All-State centerCenter (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
for now-defunct Kavanaugh High School in Lawrenceburg. He graduated in 1944. He enlisted with the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
, and served in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
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
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
basketball team. Keightley accepted the position; ten years later, he succeeded Hukle as equipment manager. He held the post during the tenures of coaches Adolph Rupp
Adolph Rupp
Adolph Frederick Rupp was one of the most successful coaches in the history of American college basketball. Rupp is fourth in total victories by a men's NCAA Division I college coach, winning 876 games in 41 years of coaching...
, Joe B. Hall
Joe B. Hall
-See also:*Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball*NCAA Men's Division I Final Four appearances by coaches- External links :* at unofficial Fan Site* * *...
, Eddie Sutton
Eddie Sutton
Eddie Sutton is an American former college head coach with 36 years of Division I basketball coaching experience at Creighton, Arkansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma State , and the University of San Francisco...
, Rick Pitino
Rick Pitino
Rick Pitino is an American basketball coach. Since 2001, he has been the head coach at the University of Louisville. He has also served as head coach at Boston University, Providence College and the University of Kentucky, leading that program to the NCAA championship in 1996...
, Tubby Smith
Tubby Smith
Orlando "Tubby" Smith is an American college basketball coach. He is currently the men's basketball head coach at the University of Minnesota...
, and Billy Gillispie
Billy Gillispie
Billy Clyde Gillispie , also known by his initials BCG, is an American college basketball coach. Since 2011, he has been the current head coach of the men's basketball team at Texas Tech University...
.
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 LedfordCawood LedfordCawood Ledford was a longtime radio play-by-play announcer for the University of Kentucky basketball and football teams...
are the only two people who did not play for or coach the Wildcats that have received such an honor. For the 2009 season, the jersey was given the number #48 to reflect his 48 years of service (previously it simply read "UK" for the number) - In 2001, Keightley was featured on special edition bottles of Maker's MarkMaker's MarkMaker’s Mark is a small batch bourbon whiskey that is distilled in Loretto, Kentucky by Beam Inc.. It is sold in distinctively squarish bottles, which are sealed with red wax. The distillery offers tours, and is part of the American Whiskey Trail and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.- History...
bourbonBourbon whiskeyBourbon is a type of American whiskey – a barrel-aged distilled spirit made primarily from corn. The name of the spirit derives from its historical association with an area known as Old Bourbon, around what is now Bourbon County, Kentucky . It has been produced since the 18th century...
. - 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."
- In 2005, he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the university's annual "Catspy" awards.
- On May 2, 2007, Keightley was inducted into the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame.
- On October 11, 2008 during Midnight Madness, Keightley was honored at the home bench of the Wildcats where his seat was. His daughter Karen and his fellow equipment manager assistants pulled off a piece of the basketball court as a memorial to remember him by. During that season, the "K" (in KENTUCKY) on the front of the player's jerseys was done in black as a tribute.
- Several oral history interviews with Keightley were conducted by the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral HistoryLouie B. Nunn Center for Oral HistoryThe Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History at the University of Kentucky actively collects oral history interviews concentrating on 20th and 21st century Kentucky history, and maintains a collection of over 8,000 interviews made up of over 100 projects. The Center's emphasis has been on political,...
at the University of Kentucky Libraries between 2005 and 2007 and can be accessed online: William B. Keightley Oral History Project
Family
Keightley was married to Hazel (Robinson) Keightley. The couple had one daughter, Karen, who formerly worked at the university's veterinary scienceVeterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
center, and is now employed with the athletic department. Keightley was an avid fan of the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
.
Death
Keightley died on March 31, 2008 after suffering a fall from a bus on his way to the season opening Cincinnati RedsCincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
baseball game versus the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
. 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
Billy Gillispie
Billy Clyde Gillispie , also known by his initials BCG, is an American college basketball coach. Since 2011, he has been the current head coach of the men's basketball team at Texas Tech University...
, Rick Pitino
Rick Pitino
Rick Pitino is an American basketball coach. Since 2001, he has been the head coach at the University of Louisville. He has also served as head coach at Boston University, Providence College and the University of Kentucky, leading that program to the NCAA championship in 1996...
, Billy Donovan
Billy Donovan
William John "Billy" Donovan, Jr. is an American college basketball coach and a former college and professional basketball player. Donovan is the current head coach of the Florida Gators men's basketball team of the University of Florida...
, Rick Stansbury
Rick Stansbury
Rick Stansbury is the current head men's basketball coach at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi....
, and John Pelphrey
John Pelphrey
John Leslie Pelphrey is an American college basketball coach and was the 14th head men's basketball coach at the University of Arkansas . After being named Kentucky's "Mr. Basketball" in 1987, he became a star college player at the University of Kentucky. Prior to coaching the Razorbacks, he...
(also a former Kentucky player). Many other former Kentucky basketball players attended as well, including former Louisville Cardinal player Ellis Myles. The Wildcats did not hire a new equipment manager for the 2009 season and in fact left his chair on the bench empty for the season. As an additional tribute, the first "K" in "KENTUCKY" on the players jerseys for the 2009 season was black outlined.