26 Dave Lawrence

Dave Lawrence was born David Vernon Lawrence on March 18, 1912, in Corinth, Kentucky to Francis Marion Lawrence and Bessie Steger Lawrence.

He began his illustrious basketball career at Corinth High School, where he played a pivotal role in leading Corinth to the state championship in 1930 over Kavanaugh, a private school in Lawrenceburg. He was an All-American choice in 1929, when Corinth, unheralded and unsung, carried off third place in a national tournament in Chicago.  In one game in that tournament, Lawrence hit the game-winning shot from beyond mid-court against a team from Texas.  The spot where Lawrence let fly the show-stopper was marked with a nail driven into the floor of Chicago’s Bartlett Gym.  He was All-State his junior and senior years.  His exceptional skills on the court caught the attention of Adolph Rupp, the newly appointed coach at the University of Kentucky, who recruited him to play for the Wildcats.

Lawrence was led to the university through a fence painting job.  In 1931, Adolph Rupp’s second season as coach at Kentucky, he offered Lawrence the job for $1.75 an hour if the 6-footer would play basketball at UK. Lawrence had planned to play for Ed Diddle at Western Kentucky but decided to take Rupp’s offer.

Lawrence played as a forward for the University of Kentucky from 1932 to 1935. He played on the freshman squad in 1931.  During his time with the Wildcats, he earned All-SEC First Team honors as a senior in the 1934-35 season. He was second on the team in scoring that same year.  His impressive performance on the court helped solidify his reputation as one of the standout players of his era.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education and Social Science in 1935, Lawrence continued his education at the University of Kentucky, earning a master’s degree in Educational Administration in 1939. His dedication to serving his country complemented his academic achievements, as he enlisted in the Navy during World War II.

Following his military service, Lawrence embarked on a career in academia. He joined the University of Louisville in 1946 as a physical education instructor and soon became the Cardinals’ track coach, leading them to state championships in 1947 and 1948. His leadership and commitment to student development were recognized when he was appointed Dean of Men in 1952 and later became the first Dean of Students in 1963. In this role, he coordinated student services and took a sabbatical in 1970 to study the influences of students on administrative decisions at various universities across the country.

Lawrence was also an active community member, serving as a past president of the Downtown Lions Club.

He passed away on January 10, 2000, at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy of excellence in both sports and education.