15 Stan Cluggish

Stan Cluggish was born August 21, 1919, in Raywick, Kentucky, the son of Hamilton F. “Jack” Cluggish and Julia Bee Stanford Cluggish. He grew up in Corbin, where he became one of the leading players of the Redhounds’ championship era. A 6-foot-6 forward known as “Little Clug” alongside his taller brother Marion, Cluggish helped Corbin win the 1936 Kentucky state championship. A badly sprained ankle kept him out of the district tournament, but he returned during the regional tournament and scored eight points in a 32-19 semifinal victory over Bell County. Corbin went on to defeat Nebo 24-19 for the state title, and Stan was selected as an All-State forward. He remained a standout as a senior, scoring 15 points in notable victories over Williamsburg and Benham.

Cluggish joined Kentucky’s freshman team in 1937-38 and then competed for varsity playing time the following year. He spent the 1938-39 season with the reserve unit known as the “Lost Battalion,” which practiced against Adolph Rupp’s varsity throughout the season while its members preserved their eligibility. Cluggish was identified as the group’s “major in command,” and contemporary reports considered its players capable of challenging returning veterans for jobs the following year. He also competed with Kentucky’s track team while attending the College of Arts and Sciences.

Cluggish broke into Kentucky’s varsity lineup in 1939-40, starting the Wildcats’ first two games at forward alongside Keith Farnsley. He scored four points in a 74-24 season-opening victory over Berea, but a knee injury and Rupp’s continuing search for the right lineup reduced his role as the season progressed. Cluggish remained part of the frontcourt rotation, seeing time at both forward and center, and finished the season with 16 points in seven varsity appearances. He continued playing basketball around Lexington afterward before briefly coaching at Woodbine and accepting a position as director of physical education at the YMCA in Bessemer, Alabama.

Cluggish later served a long career in the United States Marine Corps, beginning during World War II and continuing through the Korean War, eventually attaining the rank of captain. With the First Marine Division in Korea, he worked in the Wonsan area moving supplies to the front and helping evacuate wounded personnel, was safely evacuated through Hungnam during the retreat from the reservoir battle area, and later served at Pohang. He remained in the Marines afterward, with assignments that included Parris Island and Camp Lejeune. Cluggish died March 15, 1956, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Lexington from a brain hemorrhage. He was 36.