Basketball, horse racing, and tobacco are all
cornerstones in the cultural tradition of the
Commonwealth of Kentucky. It's difficult to say
which one is deemed the most significiant, but all '
are considered to be inexpendable. That is why
basketball at the University of Kentucky is not just
a game, it is a way of life. The sport is revered by
Kentuckians as something extra special.
The responsibility of perpetuating this
seemingly irreversible basketball trend at U.K.
belongs to Joe B. Hall. Joe was sworn in as the
head coach of the Wildcats in 1972, succeeding
the fabled Adolf Rupp and being surrounded by
Rupp’s ever-present legend. So often a coaching
transition of this type is not as silky smooth as it
was intended to be. Many a coach has met failure
when he could not reach the high standards set by
a high and mighty predecessor. This is not so for
Joe Hall.
As Hall began competing in the S.E.C., he
found a vastly improved league in which lower
division teams could not be taken lightly, as had
been the case in previous years. Joe’s first
Wildcat entry of 1972-73 carried the Big Blue
banner to the S.E.C. pinnacle. It was a season
with many trying moments and with a painfully
slow start, but Hall patiently rounded his team
into championship style. Hall was voted by his
fellow coaches in the league as the S.E.C. Coach
of the Year, the only rookie coach ever so
honored. Last year’s squad never realized
= contender status but the 1974-75 team is again
regarded as a threat for the S.E.C. flag.
Joe Hall is a gentleman on and off the court. He
personifies decency, and he has the respect of his
own men as well as his opponents. With his high
level of character, intelligence, and ability as a
coach, he will continue to achieve excellence for
Kentucky basketball.
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