The state of Kentucky is in mourning today after the loss of University of Kentucky equipment manager Bill Keightley. “Mr. Wildcat,” as he was known, had been with the University since the days of Adolph Rupp.

Mr. Keightley died from complications related to an undiagnosed tumor near his spine. He was attending the Cincinnati Reds home opener before he was admitted. Apparently, he suffered a fall while getting off the bus at Great American. Doctors were unable to stop internal bleeding related to the tumor. Mr. Keightley passed during the evening.

He was 81 years of age.

Bill Keightley joined the program in 1962 and had just completed his 48th season on Wildcats bench and was apart of 50% of the games played by the UK basketball team. Kentucky’s record in that time was 1113-351. Mr Keightley was also a part of eight Final Fours and six trips to the National Championship game; three of those resulting in victory.

To say Mr. Keightley was a witness to college basketball history is an understatement. To say he was beloved by the University, its fans and the state is also an understatement. He had a lasting impact on anyone he came across, a fact that didn’t escape coach Billy Gillispie. Gillispie, who has only been with the university for one season (and the majority of the preceding off-season) had this to say:

“This is one of the saddest days of my life,” head coach Billy Gillispie said from Cincinnati Monday night. “I commented earlier today that at the age of 81, he’s become one of my very best friends, and the person I was talking to said ‘that’s what makes him so great, because everyone feels he’s their best friend’.” And that’s because he was so genuine and so caring about others.

“He influenced each of us on a daily basis, and he was a great example of someone who loved his University more than anything. Obviously, he’s in a better place, but the void he leaves for all of us, and especially his family, is going to be a difficult situation. Our hearts go out to his family and the millions of Wildcats fans who he loved so much.”

Over at A Sea of Blue and Kentucky Sports Radio, Tru and Matt have done a great job of covering this untimely and disheartening event.

Through their posts, it’s easier to understand just what Bill Keightley meant to the University of Kentucky and its fans.

Tags: Bill Keightley, Billy Gillispie, University of Kentucky

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