ADOLPH FREDERICK RUPPFor nearly three decades, the sports world has watched an amazing record being forged with near perfection out of meager raw material by a colorful figure in the Bluegrass country of Kentucky known familiarly to hundreds of thousands as the "Man in the Brown Suit."
He is Adolph Rupp of Kentucky and when the sport of basketball is mentioned today, a direct chain of thought brings out the name of this maker of champions who holds undisputed rank as the "Nation's Winningest Basketball Coach." The name of Rupp, feared and respected in opponents' hearts and beloved by the millions who have witnessed the remarkable success of his Wildcat cage teams, has become synonymous with the game of basketball.
Such unprecedented recognition for the fabulous mentor is only natural since his success in the past 28 years as head man of the fabled Kentucky cage thoroughbreds has been nothing short of phenomenal. It would take a book longer than his own technical bestseller, "Championship Basketball," to recite the record completely. Briefly, however, that record includes:
An amazing 584 victories out of 687 starts against many of the nation's top twenty basketball powers of the past quarter-century for an unmatched winning average of better than 85 percent. An unparelleled honor roll of four NCAA Tournament national championships, including last season's surprise triumph by the "Fiddlin' Five." Nineteen  Southeastern  Conference titles
since the league was organized in 1933. A National Invitational Tournament championship in 1946 that makes Rupp the only mentor to guide a team to four national
tourney titles in six years. Olympic Trials collegiate bracket laurels in 1948.
A nominal world's championship as co-coach of the successful USA entry in the 1948 Olympic Games, which included members of the NCAA champion Kentucky team.
Four Sugar Bowl Tournament championships.
Three titles from the first five U.K. Invitational Tournaments featuring the cream of national cage powers.
Development of more All-Americans (20) and more material for the pro ranks (17) than any other tutor.
Election to the Helms Athletic Foundation College Basketball Hall of fame in 1946 and selection as national "Coach of the Year" in 1950.
Recipient of first plaque of appreciation awarded by Sugar Bowl committee (1951) and twice made honorary citizen City of New Orleans.
Election to Kentucky Hall of Fame (1945) and as outstanding citizen of Lexington (1949).
Tournament invitations in pre-Rupp years were almost unheard ofKentucky played in only seven sectional eliminations. In contrast, the Rupp-led Wildcats have the distinction of not only playing in more tournaments of all types than any other team but also hold the record for most appearances (1 0), most games won (20) and most championships (4) in NCAA Tournament play. All told, his Bluegrass five has achieved the unequalled feat of 128 victories against only 33 defeats covering action in 30 national classics plus 29 conference meets and the '48 Olympics.
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