- Name
- Lincoln Collinsworth
- Position
- Guard
- Class
- Senior
- Hometown (Last School)
- Salyersville, KY
- Ht
- 6'3"
- Wt
- 185
- Seasons
- 1955-56, 1956-57, 1957-58
- Birthday
- February 12, 1936
Lincoln Collinsworth was born Abraham Lincoln Collinsworth in Salyersville, Kentucky, on February 12, 1936 (Abraham Lincoln’s birthday) to Judge Green and Kitty Collinsworth. He is
better known as the father of NBC football analyst and former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Cris Collinsworth.
Collinsworth was known as “Lincoln” in High School, where he played basketball and was one of the highest scorers in Kentucky High School history. One of the state’s most colorful schoolboy performers, Collinsworth had a high school scoring record of 2,652 points over a five year span at Salyersville and averaged 28 points per game during his final campaign. He participated in eight different all-star tilts after high school where his stellar play gained the respect of numerous college coaches.
Collinsworth attended the University of Kentucky in Lexington and played basketball for Coach Adolph Rupp. Coach Rupp started calling him “Abe” which stuck. Abe was a driving-type player, but was particularly impressive on the boards. The 6-foot-3 guard was a backup behind starters Vernon Hatton and Adrian Smith on UK’s 1958 NCAA champions.
While at the University of Kentucky, Abe met his bride, Donetta Browning. Abe and Donetta were both educators and while Donetta opted to stay home when their boys were in their early teens, Abe dedicated his life to education. He taught briefly in Ohio while playing semi-pro basketball and moved to Brevard County, Florida in 1963. He moved up the ladder from teacher and coach to counselor, vice-principal, principal, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Superintendent of Brevard County Schools. He became Principal of Astronaut High School in Titusville, Florida in 1972. He opened the new school and also was the principal for his two sons. In 1977, Abe became Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and in 1988, he was appointed the Superintendent of Brevard County School System. Abe retired in 1994.
Abe and Donetta moved to Orlando for their retirement. Abe enjoyed people; he loved telling stories, especially when he was the “punch line”.
Collinsworth passed away on October 13, 2012, at the age of 76, in Orlando, Florida.
