[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 30, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3553-S3554]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO BILL KEIGHTLEY

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a man 
who was a fixture of Kentucky basketball, with a fervent passion for 
competition and a fast loyalty to his country, his State, and his 
beloved University of Kentucky Wildcats.
  Bill Keightley, affectionately known as ``Mr. Wildcat,'' passed away 
recently at the age of 81. He embodied the spirit and tradition that is 
Kentucky basketball. Born William Bond Keightley in 1926, Mr. Keightley 
was an All-State center for the Kavanaugh High School basketball team 
in his hometown of Lawrenceburg, KY.
  He later enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and bravely served his 
country during World War II. After the war, Mr. Keightley spent much of 
his young adulthood working as a mail carrier.
  Then in 1962, his friend and fellow postman George Hukle asked him to 
help out washing jerseys and towels for the University of Kentucky 
men's basketball team. Over the next 4\1/2\ decades, he proved himself 
indispensable as the school's top cheerleader, ambassador of goodwill 
and confidante to players and coaches alike.
  ``Mr. Bill,'' as he was called by friends and family, witnessed three 
national championships, befriended six

[[Page S3554]]

head coaches, and cared for hundreds of players over his long career.
  Loved by fans and respected by opponents, he earned a permanent seat 
on the Kentucky bench at every game. In fact, Mr. Keightley attended 
more than 1,400 UK basketball games, nearly 60 percent of all games 
ever recorded. And former UK basketball coach Orlando ``Tubby'' Smith 
points out that ``it has been . . . us [coaches] sitting next to him, 
not him sitting next to us.''
  Mr. Keightley often served as a father-like figure to the players, 
and many recall his talks with ``his boys'' on anything from Kentucky 
sports to lessons of integrity and pride. ``Players, coaches, and 
athletic directors come and go, but Bill Keightley was constant,'' says 
Kenny Walker, a friend and former UK player.
  John Pelphrey, member of the ``Unforgettable'' 1992 Wildcats team and 
now head coach at Arkansas University, says:

       For 48 years, Mr. Bill looked over coaches and student-
     athletes with love and care that only a father could give . . 
     . every time we had an encounter, there was a hearty hello, a 
     hug, and a laugh, every single time, just like the first 
     time.

  In 1997, Mr. Bill's jersey was elevated into the rafters of Rupp 
Arena, making him one of only two people to receive this honor without 
having taken to the court to play the game.
  In 2005, he was entered with the charter class into the UK Athletics 
Hall of Fame. The equipment room in Lexington's Memorial Coliseum was 
named in his honor, and he humbly presided over it until his 
unfortunate passing this past March 31.
  Noted Lexington sportscaster and friend Dave Baker says of Mr. 
Keightley:

       He knew just when to lend a hand to the young man from 
     Appalachia who was adjusting to the big city, or a young man 
     who had been recruited from out-of-state and was getting 
     accustomed to a brand new life in Kentucky. Mr. Keightley 
     lived his life as a celebration.

  Perhaps the most lasting tribute to Bill began in 2002, when the 
University of Kentucky athletic department presented its first Bill 
Keightley Award to the individual ``who exemplifies the pride, respect, 
and positive attributes'' associated with the University of Kentucky 
basketball program. They still present this award annually, to honor 
Mr. Bill.
  UK followers and basketball lovers across the Commonwealth have lost 
the sport's No. 1 fan. And I know I speak for all of them when I say 
our prayers and best wishes of support go out to his family, including 
his wife, Hazel; and his daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Alden 
Marlowe.
  UK President Lee Todd, Jr., best expressed what many Kentuckians are 
feeling when he said that we have ``lost someone who was not only the 
face of Kentucky Wildcat basketball, but the University itself.'' I 
second his words, and add to them my own: We will not soon forget the 
loyalty, passion, and dedication to excellence that Bill Keightley 
exemplified.
  I yield the floor.

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