May 27th: On this date.....

..... in 1987, former Kentucky forward Larry Steele was named head coach of the University of Portland. Steele was a first-team All-SEC player during his time with the Cats. Although he had never coached a game before in his life, Portland gave him a shot after spending nine seasons playing for the Portland Trail Blazers. The new head coach played three seasons for the University, and averaged just over 10 PPG. Steele later led the NBA in steals in 1974, and averaged 10 PPG during the Portland title run in 1977. On October 11, 1981, his jersey was retired during a halftime ceremony in Portland.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach