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Obituary – Ralph Kercheval, former trainer, breeder and star UK football player, dies at 98, Lexington Herald-Leader (October 7, 2010) by Laura Butler Ralph Godfrey Kercheval, a former University of Kentucky football star, prominent member of the Thoroughbred industry and the oldest living former National Football League player, died Wednesday in Lexington at the age of 98. Born in…
Harvey Mattingly was born Harvey Winford Mattingly on September 26, 1911, in Springfield, Kentucky, to James Raphael and Melinda Grimes. His family moved to Bardstown, where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball at Bardstown High School. After graduating in 1930, he continued playing all three sports at the University of Kentucky. Known as “Rafe,”…
Obituary – MAURICE JACKSON DIES AT 84 , Lexington Herald-Leader (August 12, 1995) by JENNIFER HEWLETT Maurice Jackson was a veteran at winning. He coached the Lafayette High School Generals to their first boys’ state basketball championship in 1942. In 1969, he was elected to a term as Fayette County sheriff. Mr. Jackson died of a heart attack yesterday…
Bill Davis was born William Owen Davis on June 26, 1912, in Hazard, Kentucky, to Samuel E. Davis and Dora Strong Davis. A 1929 graduate of Hazard High School, Davis quickly established himself as one of the state’s premier basketball players. He earned All-State and All-Kentucky honors, was selected to the Kentucky State Tournament All-Tournament…
Ellis Johnson was born August 7, 1910, and became one of the finest all-around athletes produced by Ashland High School. He starred in football, basketball, baseball, and track and led Ashland to four consecutive appearances in the Kentucky state basketball tournament from 1926 through 1929. The run was highlighted by the 1928 state championship, and…
Charles Worthington was born Charles Bowie Worthington on March 19, 1910, in Peoria, Illinois, to Thomas Charles Worthington and Katharyn Elizabeth Winter Worthington. Worthington was a notable athlete who played basketball for the University of Kentucky in the early 1930s. Standing at 6 feet 1 inch, he played as a guard and was known for…
Paul McBrayer was born Paul Sullivan McBrayer on October 12, 1909, in Ninevah, Kentucky, to Laura Sullivan and Hartwell J. McBrayer. A farmer’s son, he captained Kavanaugh High School’s basketball team in Lawrenceburg before entering Kentucky in September 1926. Nicknamed “Scotsman,” McBrayer helped Jimmy McFarland’s freshman Kittens finish undefeated at 19–0 in 1926–27. As a…
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…
Jake Bronston was born Charles Jacob Bronston on September 20, 1909, in Richmond, Kentucky, to Charles Jacob Bronston Jr. and Sarah Edna Land Bronston. He grew up in Lexington and attended Lexington Senior High School. Commonly called “Jake,” he was also known during his Kentucky career as “Herman,” a nickname used regularly by the student…
Claire Dees was born Henry Claire Dees on August 31, 1908, and grew up in Oblong, Illinois, where he established himself as a prominent high school athlete. In the fall of 1925, the robust 6-foot-1, 190-pound prospect arrived at the University of Kentucky to study engineering. At UK, Dees quickly proved to be a versatile…