July 21st: On this date....

.... in 1962, 36 year-old Mr. Wildcat was hired as the University of Kentucky's assistant equipment manager. Bill Keightley, a former Marine who served in World War II and current member of the U.S. Postal Service was asked to help out equipment manager George Hukle. It was a part-time job for the Lawrenceburg, KY native, about four hours a day. From this date on, Mr. Wildcat was a part of the richest tradition in college basketball. Keightley was an All-State center as a senior for Kavanaugh High School in 1944. He was a staple of Big Blue Nation for over 45 years, and was the ultimate fan and genuine person in the most public of spotlights. The man witnessed over 1,100 UK wins and was on board for three National Championship runs. Mr. Bill wore one championship ring on each hand and kept one in his pocket. Legendary broadcaster Cawood Ledford and Keightley remain the only non-player/non-coach in Kentucky history to have a jersey retired in their honor.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach