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Alvin Thompson

Name
Alvin Thompson
Seasons
1916-17
Birthday
March 17, 1897

Alvin Thompson was born on March 17, 1897, in Clintonville, Kentucky to Albert Sidney and Mincie Lary Thompson.  Thompson played as a center for the Wildcats. Standing at 6 feet tall, he was a multi-sport athlete, also excelling in football.

Thompson attended Paris high school where he starred in football.  He then attended the University of Virginia Prep School in Charlottesville, Virginia before enrolling at Kentucky in 1916.

Thompson’s basketball career at Kentucky was marked by his participation in the 1916-17 season, during which he played a total of 5 games. Although there is insufficient data on his statistics, his contributions to the team were recognized.  His athletic career was cut short by a call to military service in 1917.

Beyond his athletic career, Thompson served in the military during World War I and World War II. In July of 1917, he enlisted in the famed Barrow Unit, a local Medical Corps unit that served overseas in World War I. After World War I, he operated a farm and worked in newspaper journalism in Paris, Kentucky. He was a registered public accountant and a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, the Lexington Elks Lodge, and the Clintonville Christian Church.

Thompson’s professional career included serving as an officer in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for 25 years. He held various positions, including deputy collector, division chief, and revenue officer. He retired in April 1960 after a distinguished career in government service.

Alvin Thompson passed away on April 21, 1960, at the age of 63. His legacy as a dedicated athlete, military serviceman, and government officer continues to be remembered by those who knew him.

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 February 15, 1954, Linville Puckett, against Mississippi State, connected on a 53′ 6″ shot.

 

On February 15, 1990, in what was described by many as one of the most exciting games ever played at Rupp Arena, Rick Pitino’s rag-tag first team with eight scholarship players and no one taller than 6-foot-7 — the same team that lost by 55 earlier in the season at Kansas — beat an LSU team with Shaquille O’Neal, fellow 7-footer Stanley Roberts and the sweet-shooting guard known then as Chris Jackson.

 

On February 15, 1994, trailing by 31 points with 15:34 remaining in the game at LSU, the Wildcats pull off a Mardi Gras miracle. Connecting on 11 three-pointers and outscoring the Bayou Bengals 62-27 during the final 15:34, UK storms back to a 99-95 victory – the greatest comeback in UK history.  Walter McCarty led UK with 23 points and it was his three-pointer from the deep left corner with 19 seconds left that put the Cats ahead to stay.

 

Wildcats Born on This Date

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