"Rupp's Runts", easily the most popular team ever to play basketball for the University of Kentucky, came home yesterday. Their many, many fans in Fayette County didn't forget, either, despite a 72-65 loss to Texas Western Saturday night in the championship game of the NCAA tournament. About 800 greeted the Wildcats' chartered airplane at Blue Grass Field, ignoring a request by airport officials to wait for the team at Memorial Coliseum. Mrs. Donald Summers, 346 Hill n' Dale Road, waved signs saying, "Welcome Home, Our Champs" and "You Will Always Be Number One to Us." Everyone else either applauded or yelled as the Wildcats, led by Coach Adolph Rupp, came off the plane and on to a red carpet. Among the last off was senior Larry Conley, who looked tired and worn after playing two tournament games with a bad case of the flu. Meeting Conley and wrapping his arm around him was Bob Wright, who coached Conley at Ashland High and now coaches at Morehead State University. The players looked miserably sad as they lined up behind a microphone. Rupp stepped forward to speak as the crowd pressed closer.
From the book, Echoes of Kentucky Basketball
The Greatest Stories Ever Told
From the book, Echoes of Kentucky Basketball
The Greatest Stories Ever Told
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