Milton Cavana

Milton Cavana was born Milton James Cavana on September 23, 1909, in Hardin Township, Iowa, to William and Mabel Cavana. Known as “Bud,” he played basketball, football, and track at Central High School in Iowa Falls. He later attended Iowa State College and Iowa State Teachers College before coming to Kentucky. An accomplished swimmer, he won an Iowa state diving championship in 1928.

At Kentucky, Cavana played basketball under Johnny Mauer in 1929–30 and joined Adolph Rupp’s first team in 1930–31. A guard, he appeared in one game that season. His place on those teams connects him to a pivotal change in Kentucky basketball, while his athletic work extended well beyond the court.

Cavana earned three varsity letters apiece in football and track. He played end and handled drop kicks for the football team. In track, he competed in the high hurdles and became one of Kentucky’s leading javelin throwers, going undefeated in dual meets during the 1931 season and placing fourth at the conference meet. A member of Alpha Sigma Phi, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in January 1932.

Cavana had already earned a Red Cross lifesaving honor for rescuing and reviving a child while working as a lifeguard. After graduation, he coached at Bellevue and Newport and spent many years as an athletic director, physical education teacher, and swimming instructor in northern Kentucky. He also served in the Campbell County Red Cross lifesaving program. Cavana died on September 13, 1959, in Bellevue, Kentucky.