27 Fred Curtis

Fred Curtis was born Frederic Roy Curtis on February 13, 1915, in Nashville, Tennessee to Arthur O. Curtis and Gertrude Warnick Curtis.  His nickname, “Cab,” came from the North Nashville area once known as “Cab Hollow,” where he lived as a boy.

An outstanding high school and college athlete, Cab earned all-star status in four sports while at East High in Nashville in the 1930s. At six feet two inches tall, he held the all-time high scoring record of Nashville, Tennessee, high with 313 points in one season.

He became a popular, successful basketball player under the legendary Adolph Rupp while attending the University of Kentucky from 1935 to 39.

As a freshman at Kentucky, Curtis was the lone player on the frosh squad from Tennessee.  His excellent field goal shooting was a large part of the Kittens’ success.

As a sophomore, Curtis helped Kentucky win the Southeastern Conference championship over his native Tennessee by pitching in 7 points.

As a junior, Curtis was second on the team in scoring.  He played in all 18 games scoring 112 points for a 6.2 per game average.  He was the hero of the Sugar Bowl Championship when he scored 10 points to lead the Cats in a win over Pittsburgh.  Curtis wrote about that game on January 24, 1954 in an article for The Tennessean:

“It was the night of Dec. 29, 1937, in New Orleans. 

Kentucky was scheduled to meet Pittsburgh in the Sugar Bowl! basketball game. It was the Kentucky quint’s first appearance in the annual classic. Our starting lineup vas Joe Hagan, Bernie Opper, Homer Thompson, Clayton Rouse and myself.

Kentucky was away fast and after a few minutes it appeared we would turn the game into a rout. Coach Adolph Rupp substituted judiciously and even our reserves maintained the rapid pace.

Pitt, performing like a thoroughly baffled club, was behind, 28-13 when the half ended.

We were quite cocky during the intermission. The large crowd shared our enthusiasm and confidence. So far Pitt was no match for the ‘Cats.

The Panthers came back snarling for the second half.  They began eating into our lead. With Ed Spotovich and Robert Johnson hitting from every angle and the Pitt defensive keeping us in check, our margin with five minutes unplayed was only 31-29. In short, Pitt had tallied 16 points while holding us to three.

Moderately panic-stricken, we called for time. Somebody, I believe it was Opper, mentioned in the huddle that he could use some chewing gum. Several of us seconded the motion.

Our manager was summoned, but he said no chewing gum was available.

Seated in the stands was my old coach of East High days, Jimmy Armistead. I told the manager if anybody in New Orleans had any chewing gum, that fellow was Armistead.

The manager found Armistead, who supplied the gum.

Play was resumed. And five gum-chewing Kentuckians gained the form shown earlier in the game.

With Opper, Hagan (and occasionally yours truly) shooting accurately, we tallied nine points and held Pitt scoreless in the next five minutes. Kentucky had won its first Sugar Bowl decision, 40-29.

My point contribution was 10—second highest of the night. But what I most remember about that victory was Jimmy Armistead’s chewing gum, which settled us down and stuck Pitt with a setback.” 

Curtis led Kentucky, regular season SEC champs and SEC Tournament champs, in scoring his senior season.  He played in all 20 games scoring 187 points for a 9.4 per game average.  He scored a career-high 19 points against Vanderbilt on February 21, 1938.

Curtis also played football at Kentucky as a halfback. He also ran track competing in the high hurdles.

Curtis passed away on May 28, 1976, at the age of 61.