William Bond Keightley, Longtime equipment manager for the University of Kentucky basketball teams. Bill Keightley the man known as "Mr. Wildcat". Mr. Keightley, a native of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky and a graduate of Kavanaugh High School. He served in the Marines in World War II and was a retired U.S. Postal Service carrier. He joined the Kentucky Wildcats in 1961 when Adolph Rupp was coach, and some 1,368 games later has shared the Wildcat bench with head coaches Joe B. Hall, Eddie Sutton, Rick Pitino, Tubby Smith and Billy Gillispie. For many Kentuckians, Bill Keightley was not only the face of UK Wildcat basketball, but the University of Kentucky itself. He had just completed his 48th season as equipment manager for Kentucky. He served under six coaches, Adolph Rupp, Joe B. Hall, Eddie Sutton, Rick Pitino, Tubby Smith and Gillispie. He played a part in 57 percent of all Kentucky basketball games. Many saw him as a linchpin holding together Kentucky's basketball history, and as an adviser. He died participating in his other great sporting love, Reds baseball. Mr Keightley's casket was placed at center court at Rupp Arena, the chair at the front of the Kentucky bench wrapped in a ceremonial blue ribbon. A series of snapshots taken during Keightley's career with the Wildcats played on the arena's two JumboTrons during the service, which ended with a rendition of "My Old Kentucky Home." In 1997, UK honored Keightley with a retired jersey in his honor. He remains one of only two non-players or non-coaches to have a jersey hanging in the Rupp Arena rafters in his honor. Cawood Ledford is the other.
William Bond Keightley, Longtime equipment manager for the University of Kentucky basketball teams. Bill Keightley the man known as "Mr. Wildcat". Mr. Keightley, a native of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky and a graduate of Kavanaugh High School. He served in the Marines in World War II and was a retired U.S. Postal Service carrier. He joined the Kentucky Wildcats in 1961 when Adolph Rupp was coach, and some 1,368 games later has shared the Wildcat bench with head coaches Joe B. Hall, Eddie Sutton, Rick Pitino, Tubby Smith and Billy Gillispie. For many Kentuckians, Bill Keightley was not only the face of UK Wildcat basketball, but the University of Kentucky itself. He had just completed his 48th season as equipment manager for Kentucky. He served under six coaches, Adolph Rupp, Joe B. Hall, Eddie Sutton, Rick Pitino, Tubby Smith and Gillispie. He played a part in 57 percent of all Kentucky basketball games. Many saw him as a linchpin holding together Kentucky's basketball history, and as an adviser. He died participating in his other great sporting love, Reds baseball. Mr Keightley's casket was placed at center court at Rupp Arena, the chair at the front of the Kentucky bench wrapped in a ceremonial blue ribbon. A series of snapshots taken during Keightley's career with the Wildcats played on the arena's two JumboTrons during the service, which ended with a rendition of "My Old Kentucky Home." In 1997, UK honored Keightley with a retired jersey in his honor. He remains one of only two non-players or non-coaches to have a jersey hanging in the Rupp Arena rafters in his honor. Cawood Ledford is the other.
Inscription
UK Men's Basketball
Equipment Manager
1961 - 2008
WWII Marine
Beloved Husband
And Father
Friend To All
To be continued...
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