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John Crigler, member of UK’s 1958 championship Fiddlin’ Five squad, dies

John Crigler - photo from BigBlueHistory,net

John Crigler – photo from BigBlueHistory,net

John Lloyd Crigler, a starting forward for the University of Kentucky’s Fiddlin’ Five 1958 basketball championship team and a longtime educator in Scott County public schools, died Saturday at his Georgetown home. He was 76.

“John Crigler was a very good supporter of athletics and a great fellow to be around. He was a friend,” said Joe B. Hall, who coached UK men’s basketball from 1972 to 1985.

Hall said Mr. Crigler was active in Georgetown and remained close to the Fiddlin’ Five team that was coached by the legendary Adolph Rupp.

Walter Cornett, of Glendale, Kentucky, is the owner and operator of Walter’s Wildcat World. He founded WildcatWorld.com in 1998 making it one of the oldest Kentucky basketball fan sites in operation today.

On This Day in UK Basketball History

On December 1, 1950, UK plays its first game in the new, $3.9 million, 11,500-seat Memorial Coliseum. Skeptics label the building a “white elephant.”  The Wildcats made the first game played in Memorial Coliseum a memorable one as they routed the West Texas State Buffaloes.

 

On December 1, 2011, Kentucky blocked 18 St. John's shots for the most blocks ever recorded by a Kentucky team.

 

Wildcats Born on This Date

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